Florida voters picked the Democratic and Republican candidates for their state’s critical governor and Senate races in Tuesday’s primary elections, setting up two of 2018’s most important campaigns.
Republicans Ron DeSantis easily won the GOP gubernatorial primary to replace Gov. Rick Scott, who is running for Senate against incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
In a shocking upset, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum defeated establishment pick Gwen Graham. He supports a progressive agenda: a Medicare-for-all single-payer health care system, abolishing ICE, raising its minimum wage to $15 and raising the corporate tax rate to pay for education. He earned endorsements from Bernie Sanders and Tom Steyer. Before Gillum’s win, he was coming in at just 16 points in the most recent polls.
Democrats also have openings to pick up a few House seats in heavily gerrymandered Sunshine State, and both parties have decisions to make on congressional candidates in Tuesday’s primaries.
Polls close at 8 pm ET. Live results are below, powered by Decision Desk.
Florida governor primary
Ron DeSantis, Adam Putnam, and Gwen Graham lead the Republican and Democratic fields
Republican Primary
Updated
| name-cell”>Ron DeSantis | 913,954 | 56% | |
| Adam Putnam | 593,973 | 37% | |
| Bob White | 33,029 | 2% | |
| Timothy Devine | 21,398 | 1% | |
| Bob Langford | 20,090 | 1% | |
| Bruce Nathan | 15,412 | 1% | |
| Don Baldauf | 13,161 | 1% | |
| John Mercadante | 12,425 | 1% |
Democratic Primary
Updated
| Andrew Gillum | 517,833 | 34% | |
| Gwen Graham | 474,484 | 31% | |
| Philip Levine | 306,605 | 20% | |
| Jeff Greene | 152,635 | 10% | |
| Chris King | 37,625 | 2% | |
| John Wetherbee | 15,716 | 1% | |
| Alex Lundmark | 9,876 | 1% |
Republican Primary
Updated
| Rick Scott | 1,452,875 | 89% |
| Roque De La Fuente | 186,611 | 11% |