Blue wave falls short in Central Florida
Republicans Michael Waltz, Ross Spano triumph in races Democrats eyed for House pickups
Central Florida didn’t see a blue wave, as numerous polls projected leading into Tuesday’s midterms.
But Democrat Stephanie Murphy defeated State Rep. Mike Miller in Congressional District 7 in a race that was considered one of Central Florida’s most-contested elections.
With most precincts counted, she had about 57.5 percent of the vote to Miller’s 42.5.
“It’s certainly just an honor,” Murphy said Tuesday night. “I think my record of serving this community over the past two years and delivering for this community and putting the people of this community over partisan politics really resonated with the voters.”
Also, Darren Soto, the state’s first congressional representative of Puerto Rican descent, defeated Wayne Liebnitzky in Congressional District 9. Soto, a Democrat, was first elected to Congress in 2016. He carried 58 percent of Tuesday’s vote.
Meanwhile, Daniel Webster, a Central Florida Republican stalwart, defeated progressive Dana Cottrell in Congressional District 11, 65 percent to 35 percent.
However, in two districts Democrats eyed as possible pickups in their bid to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans prevailed.
The Associated Press reported that retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel Michael Waltz had defeated Nancy Soderberg in District 6, which includes parts of Volusia and Lake counties and was previously held by Republican nominee for governor Ron DeSantis.
Also, Republican State Rep. Ross Spano defeated Kristen Carlson in District 15, which includes Clermont and southwest
Murphy’s victory earns her a second term in Washington, and she carried about 57 percent of the vote. She was powered by strong turnout in Orange County, though she also carried a winning margin in Seminole County.
She unseated 24-year GOP in- Groveland, and spans into the Tampa suburbs.