Although several 2018 races in Florida are subject to recount, nearly all candidates supported by FAA’s Apartment Political Action Committee won their races. In addition, FAA-supported Amendment 2 (to retain a 10 percent cap on assessments of apartment communities and other non-homestead properties) passed 66.5% to 33.5%.
Florida Cabinet
Fun fact: Attorney General Ashley Moody received the most votes out of any candidate on the 2018 ballot, securing 4,224,987 votes.
Florida Senate Races
(In order by district)
Sen.
Dana Young (R-18): DEFEATED (pending recount) by Janet Cruz, 50.07% to 49.93%.
Sen.
Tom Lee (R-20): ELECTED 53.51%
Florida House Races
(In order by district)
Rep.
Bob Cortes (R-30): DEFEATED by Joy Goff-Marcil, 52.91% to 47.09%
Rep.
Shawn Harrison (R-63): DEFEATED by Fentrice Driskell, 53.4% to 46.6%.
Rep.
Frank Mingo (R-103): DEFEATED by Cindy Polo, 53.25% to 46.75%.
Of the 48 candidates supported by APAC in the 2018 midterm elections, 44 won. and four lost. In total, 91.67% of all APAC-supported candidates were elected during the 2018 election.
Here are some important outcomes of the 2018 midterm election:
Florida Senate
In the Florida Senate, it appears the Democrats will gain one seat, Senate District 18, where Janet Cruz appears likely to replace Dana Young, pending the results of a recount. Republicans have retained their majority, and the makeup in the Senate will be 23 Republicans to 17 Democrats. There are nine freshman members of the Florida Senate.
Florida House
In the Florida House, Republicans also retained control, and depending on the results of the recounts, it appears the House will have a makeup of 73 Republicans to 47 Democrats. Three Republican incumbents lost their reelection campaigns: Bob Cortes of Orange/Seminole, who will be replaced by Joy Goff-Marcil; Shawn Harrison from Hillsborough who will be replaced by Fentrice Driskell; and Bobby Olszewski of Orange who will be replace by Geraldine Thompson, who previously served in the House. Two Democratic incumbents also lost their reelection campaigns: Robert Ascencio of Miami-Dade, who will be replaced by Anthony Rodriguez, and Patrick Henry of Volusia who will be replaced by Elizabeth Fetterhoff, pending the results of a recount. The Democrats also picked up four open seats that had previously been held by Republicans: HD 47, Anna Eskamani, Orange (formerly held by Mike Miller); HD 59, Adam Hattersley, Hillsborough (formerly held by Ross Spano); HD 69, Jennifer Webb, Pinellas (formerly held by Kathleen Peters); HD 104, Cindy Polo (formerly held by Manny Diaz). When all is done, the Democrats will have been successful in flipping seven seats, while the Republicans were successful in flipping two. Democrats have a net pickup of five. There are 41 freshmen members of the Florida House.
House Leadership
Following the election, Speaker Designate Oliva has released his leadership committee structure and several leadership appointments. Representative Mary Lynn Magar (R-Martin/Palm Beach) will serve as Speaker Pro Tempore and Representative Dane Eagle (R-Lee) will serve as Majority Leader.
What's Ahead
The Legislature is scheduled to meet in Organization Session on November 20, 2018. Interim committee meetings are planned for:
- December 11-14
- January 7-11
- January 22-25
- February 4-8
- February 11-15
- February 19-22
The Florida Apartment Association is a nonpartisan organization. Support for campaigns is financial in nature and does not imply endorsement. For more information please contact
Josh Gold, FAA Executive Vice President.