Freshman Democrat Darren Soto, the first Florida congressman of Puerto Rican descent, easily beat back a comeback bid by his predecessor, former Rep. Alan Grayson.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Soto led Grayson 66 percent to 34 percent when The Associated Press called the race.
Grayson vacated the 9th District seat in 2016 for an ultimately unsuccessful run for the Democratic Senate nomination. He ran an aggressive campaign this year, attacking Soto for his previous support from the National Rifle Association and what Grayson described as his inadequate response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, according to The (Lakeland) Ledger.
But Soto had endorsements from the AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Organization of Women and the League of Conservation Voters PAC.
Soto next faces a rematch with Wayne Liebnitzky, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary. He defeated him by 15 points in 2016.
7th District:Freshman Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy easily fended off a primary challenge from a progressive candidate backed by New York's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Murphy led Chardo Richardson 86 percent to 14 percent when the AP called the race.
Murphy had a massive fundraising advantage. She raised almost $2.5 million compared to Richardson's $40,000, as of Aug. 8. She also had powerful endorsements from the Florida Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
26th District: As expected, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell will take on GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo in one of the state's most competitive races.
With 85 percent of precincts reporting, Mucarsel-Powell led with 64 percent of the vote when the AP called the race.
