Sigman wins Dem nod, to face Brodeur in major Senate race
TALLAHASSEE — In one of Tuesday’s mostwatched primary contests, Patricia Sigman won a five-way race for the Democratic nomination in Senate District 9 and will take on Republican Jason Brodeur in the general election.
With some mail-in votes left to county in Seminole County, and 98% of precincts reporting in Volusia County, Sigman had 51% of the vote. Alexis Carter followed with 17%, then came Rick Ashby with 13.3%, Guerdy Remy with 12.5% and Alexander Duncan with 7%.
“For too long, decisions affecting working families in our state have been dictated by Tallahassee Republicans beholden to the special interests and insiders who fund their campaigns,” Sigman said in a prepared statement. “That changes now.”
Elsewhere, Fred Hawkins won the Republican primary for House District 42, which covers most of Osceola County and part of Polk County, despite being arrested and charged for impersonating an officer a month before the election.
Hawkins was removed as Osceola County commissioner by Gov. Ron DeSantis, but had 47% of the vote with some early voting and mail-in ballots still to be counted, according to state election figures. Dianna Liebnitzky had 30%, Gary Scott had 18% and Benny Valentin had 5%.
“Thank you to the voters of House District 42 for their unwavering support of my candidacy, and to our campaign team in Osceola and Polk County for their tireless efforts,” Hawkins said in a prepared statement. “Together, we will continue to run an issues-based campaign working toward protecting Florida’s water and natural resources, public safety and education.”
He now faces Democrat Barbara Ann Cady and no party affiliation (NPA) candidate Leroy Sanchez in the general election.
Sigman’s win was vital for Democrats.
Republicans hold a 23-17 advantage in the Senate, and Democrats are hoping to pick up District 9 along with two other seats to gain at least a 20-20 split in the chamber heading into the politically fraught task of redistricting in 2022.
The fight over District 9, an open seat because incumbent Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, is term-limited, will be one of the most intense and expensive in the state. Sigman has spent $194,000 on the primary battle and now faces Brodeur, a former House member, who has spent more than $3 million with his campaign and political committees combined.
Here’s a look at some of the other primary results in Central Florida:
The Democratic primary race between Lee Mangold and Pasha Baker was too close to call. With some mail-in votes still left to count in Seminole County, Baker held a lead of 68 votes, 50.27% to 49.73%. The 0.54% margin is just outside of the 0.5% threshold in state law to trigger a machine recount of the race. The winner will take on incumbent Rep. David Smith, R-Winter Springs, and NPA candidate Michael Riccio in the general election.
– Incumbent Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, cruised to victory over political newcomer
Luther “Luke” Dowe, with 83% of the vote in early returns over Dowe’s 17%. He faces a rematch with Democrat Tracey Kagan, who narrowly lost to Plakon in 2018. NPA candidate Juan Rodriguez will also compete.
– Kristen Arrington won a seat in the Legislature after taking 30% of the vote in a six-way Democratic primary. There are no other nonDemocratic candidates in the Osceola County district that includes Kissimmee and Poincianna. Alex Barrio had 21%, followed by Tamika Lyles with 17%, Carlos Irizarry with 11.4%, Andrew Jeng with 11.3% and Ricardo Rangel with 8%.
– Bruno Portigliatti will try to unseat Rep. Geraldine Thompson, DWindermere, after both easily won their primary races Tuesday night. Portigliatti had 74% of the vote in early returns to Frank Blanco’s 26%. Thompson won with 81% to Andy Farrell’s 19%.
– Jeremy Sisson won his GOP primary over Kevin Morenski 58-42%, and now faces Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, in the general election.
– Daisy Morales emerged with the victory in this five-way Democratic primary, carrying 40% of the vote. Placing second was Samuel Vilchez Santiago, who garnered 30%, followed by Julio Rocha with 10.7%, Nelson Pena with 10.5%, and Tony Tsonis with 9%. Morales will take on Jesus Martinez, the only Republican in the race, in the general election.