The primary races in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming are mostly non-competitive, with just four state preliminaries left before November’s election. However, there is drama in Florida, where Rep. Matt Gaetz faces a challenge from a moderate backed by former Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Gaetz is heavily favored to win, but McCarthy’s PAC has spent millions on negative campaigning against him. Gaetz has raised significant funds to counter this campaign and has the support of conservative figures like Sen. Rand Paul and former President Donald Trump. Despite the drama, Gaetz is expected to easily win the primary and face Democrat Gay Valimont in November.
The feud between Gaetz and McCarthy adds spice to an otherwise tame primary slate across the three states, all of which voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. Florida, with its 28 House seats, is expected to see most incumbents breeze through the primary and secure spots in the general election. Sen. Rick Scott is also expected to secure his spot in the Senate race, where he is aiming to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell as Senate Republican Leader. The only race without a favored incumbent is Florida’s CD 8, where former Senate President Mike Haridopolos is favored to win.
Overall, the primaries in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming are not expected to be highly competitive, with incumbents and favored candidates likely to secure their spots in the general election. John Quiñones, who has garnered endorsements from Posey, Gimenez, Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), and Disney World Resort Manager Jose Castillo, is making waves in Florida politics. Meanwhile, two Florida Republican incumbents, Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), find themselves on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committeeâs âDistricts In Playâ list.
In the Clearwater-area CD 13 primary, five Democrats are competing for the chance to challenge Luna. Whitney Fox is currently leading the pack with endorsements from Blue Dog PAC, Planned Parenthood, and prominent Florida Democrat U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel, Kathy Castor, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Down in South Florida’s CD 27, Democrats Lucia Baez-Geller and former Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey are vying for their party’s nomination to take on Salazar in November.
Luna and Salazar are predicted to secure victories in districts where Republicans have gained recent control, reflecting a larger trend across Florida where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats. However, the state’s 3.5 million independent voters remain a wildcard in the upcoming elections.
Moving to Alaska and Wyoming, where the political landscape differs significantly from Florida. These states, with their GOP-dominant histories, are gearing up for their own electoral battles. Alaska’s ranked-choice voting and Wyoming’s closed primary present unique challenges for candidates, with incumbents like Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) facing both primary and general election contests.
As the political scene heats up in these states, all eyes are on the candidates as they navigate the intricacies of their respective races. From endorsements to primary challenges, each candidate is working tirelessly to secure their spot on the ballot and ultimately emerge victorious in November. Could you please rewrite this sentence?
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