Primary takeaways: Donalds joins historic field, progressive wins upset in Florida
Primary elections across Florida, Wyoming, and Alaska on Tuesday delivered significant signals about the political landscape heading into November’s midterm elections, with Republican Rep. Byron Donalds securing the GOP nomination for Florida governor and progressive state lawmaker Angie Nixon scoring a major upset in the state’s Democratic Senate primary.
According to AP News, Donalds won the Republican nomination to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis, defeating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and others. If elected in November, Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor, joining a historic slate of Black gubernatorial nominees across the country this year.
Progressive upset in Florida Senate race
In the most striking result of the night, Nixon defeated retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman for the Democratic Senate nomination in a major upset. Vindman, who rose to national prominence for his testimony during Trump’s 2019 impeachment, had outraised Nixon by more than 16-to-1, with Nixon bringing in less than $1 million.
NBC News reported that Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and former union organizer from Jacksonville, told supporters: “We showed the world what organized people can accomplish.” She will face Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in November for the final two years of Marco Rubio’s former Senate term. If elected, Nixon would be Florida’s first Black U.S. senator.
Vindman conceded gracefully, saying Nixon “ran a strong campaign” and that he would stand by her side in the fight against Moody.
The Guardian noted that Nixon’s victory continues a pattern in Democratic primaries this year where progressive candidates have defeated more established and heavily funded opponents.
Donalds joins historic field of Black governor candidates
Donalds’ victory places him in a historically large field of Black gubernatorial nominees, including Republicans John James in Michigan and Lisa Demuth in Minnesota, and Democrats David Crowley in Wisconsin, Aaron Ford in Nevada, Jermaine Johnson in South Carolina, and Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia. Either Bottoms or Demuth could become the country’s first Black woman governor.
Donalds will face David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties last year and won the Democratic nomination. Jolly, who campaigned on ending the culture wars, told supporters: “To my Democratic friends, thank you for welcoming me into the party.”
Other notable Florida results
Longtime Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz won her primary in Florida’s 20th Congressional District, defeating former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and three other Black candidates in a plurality-Black district, according to AP News. Wasserman Schultz, a former national party chair seeking a 12th term, was the only white candidate in the race.
Republican Rep. Cory Mills lost his bid for a third term to former television news reporter Ryan Elijah. Mills faced ethics investigations and allegations of domestic violence, which he denies. Trump-endorsed Catalina Lauf also lost her bid for Florida’s 6th Congressional District to Jim Schwartzel.
Wyoming: Freedom Caucus suffers near-total defeat
In Wyoming, state Sen. Eric Barlow defeated Trump-endorsed Megan Degenfelder in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Barlow, a U.S. Marine veteran and livestock veterinarian, is also a former Wyoming House Speaker.
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus suffered a near-total defeat in the primary, with most of its members and allies losing their races, according to Cowboy State Daily. Former Senate President Ogden Driskill called it “a very solid rejection of what the Freedom Caucus has done and how they operate.”
Alaska: Sullivan and Peltola set for marquee Senate race
In Alaska, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola advanced to November’s general election for the U.S. Senate seat, setting up what is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in the country. Peltola, who in 2022 became the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress, led in the primary with 48% to Sullivan’s 42.8%, according to AP News.
The race featured controversy over a second Dan Sullivan on the ballot - a retired teacher named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. - whom Republicans claimed was a sham candidate running to cause confusion. He denied the charge.
Alaska voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure to reimpose campaign contribution limits, including a $2,000 cap on individual contributions to candidates in state and local elections.
What to watch next
The general election on November 3 will determine control of Congress, where Republicans hold a narrow edge. The results from Tuesday’s primaries provide early signals about voter enthusiasm and the effectiveness of Trump’s endorsements, which had mixed results across the three states. With 77 days until the general election, the races in Florida, Wyoming, and Alaska will continue to draw national attention as both parties vie for momentum heading into the midterms.