The Florida Senate will look very familiar when it convenes in March as not a single senator went down to defeat on Tuesday. Republicans kept control of the chamber but could not expand their 26-14 majority.
The GOPs best chance to flip a Senate seat came in the form of former Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff who lost to Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, in 2012 in a rare match-up of two incumbents battling as a result of redistricting. Sachs held on again, edging Bogdanoff by 6,000 votes, winning 52 percent to 48 percent. Bogdanoff had been a supporter of Sen. Jack Latvalas, R-Clearwater, efforts to become Senate president.
Democrats had high hopes for Judithanne McLauchlan but she came up short in her bid to challenge Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. Brandes took 58 percent while McLauchlan garnered only 42 percent.
Latvala won with 72 percent over his Libertarian foe but his main rival for the Senate presidency also had a big win on Tuesday. With 67 percent of the vote, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, routed Democrat Bruno Moore who took 33 percent.
I am honored by the confidence our community has bestowed upon me tonight to continue to represent District 32 in the Florida Senate, said Negron. I campaigned on protecting our environment, supporting our seniors and safeguarding our constitutional rights, and I will remain focused on these priorities for our Treasure Coast in our states Capitol.
Still, there should be at least one new face in the Senate early next year. Despite a big win on Tuesday over Democrat Kathleen Trued, Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, is expected to vacate his seat in the coming days as he is named president of Florida State University (FSU). Thrasher took 58 percent while Trued won 37 percent and Greg Feldman, who was running with no party affiliation, pulled in 5 percent.
FSU was on Thrashers mind on Tuesday after his win.
Tonight, I am humbled by the confidence our Northeast Florida voters have continued to show throughout my campaign for re-election to Florida Senate District 6, Thrasher said on Tuesday night. Should the Board of Governors confirm me as the president of the Florida State University, I am committed to helping our district and Republican Party find a candidate who is uniquely qualified to serve the people of Northeast Florida. Northeast Florida holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to seeing our communities grow and flourish for years to come.
Other winners on Tuesday night were Republican Sens. David Simmons and Tom Lee, and Democrats Geri Thompson, Darren Soto and Oscar Braynon.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
