Joe Negron Backers Ahead in Early Senate Primary Totals

Former Rep. Aaron Bean from Fernandina Beach, Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland and Rep. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, who could all play a big role in Sen. Joe Negrons effort to become Senate president in 2016, are strong early showings as the first vote totals were released.

The state Division of Elections posted its first results just after 8 p.m., after polls closed on the Panhandle.

Sen. Jack Latvala, who is trying to line up his own roster of senators to battle Negron for the 2016 presidency, was easily winning his re-election effort.

Former House Speaker Tom Lee, who has been backed by both Negron and Latvala, was nearly 20 points ahead of Rep. Rachel Burgin.

Rep. John Legg was easily ahead of two GOP challengers, while Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff was far ahead in her primary contest to take on Sen. Maria Sachs in the general election.

In a Democratic contest, Rep. Geraldine Thompson was up in a Central Florida contest over Victoria Siplin, wife of Sen. Gary Siplin.

In South Florida, Rep. Ron Saunders was outpacing Rep. Dwight Bullard and James Bush III in another Democratic primary.