Election Day is upon us, with several key issues – whether indirectly or explicitly – on the ballot including abortion rights, climate change legislation, infrastructure, LGBT+ rights and inflation. Those in statewide positions such as Florida governor, Florida U.S. Senator and Florida Attorney General help decide these major issues, but others, such as state senators and house members, cover a more local scope with their authority on local infrastructure and laws. Here’s a brief look at these results and what they mean for us students.
Lately, Florida has tended to lean more Republican, shifting from a toss-up to a slightly red state. Incumbent Republican governor Ron DeSantis clinched a second term, while incumbent Republican Senator Marco Rubio won his third, reflecting this recent trend. Florida state law allows mail-in ballots to be counted before Election Day, meaning races can be predicted fairly quickly. Florida also elected the first member of Gen Z to Congress, Democrat Maxwell Frost from Florida’s 10th district (Orlando).
Republicans held onto their majority in Florida’s state senate, continuing their streak since 1995. (Graphics/Ella Gohari)
