Travis Hutson Beats Doc Renuart in GOP Senate Primary

Former Rep. Travis Hutson won the special Republican primary for an open Florida Senate seat on Tuesday night, decisively beating former Rep. Doc Renuart by 17 percent. Hutson will face Democrat David Cox in the special election on April 7.

With all votes in from Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties and more than 90 percent of precincts reported in St. Johns County, Hutson had 52 percent of the vote while Renuart trailed with 35 percent. Dennis McDonald was in distant third with 13 percent.

The seat became vacant when former Sen. John Thrasher accepted the presidency of Florida State University. Republicans have a clear advantage in the district.