For the first time, Florida Democrats will field candidates in every legislative district, aiming to rebuild in the battleground state. The candidate qualifying week has seen multiple controversies, including legal challenges and disqualifications. Former Rep. Baker and incumbent property appraiser ran as a write-in candidate to avoid paying the qualifying fee, but another Republican qualified at the last minute, becoming the only candidate on the ballot. Additionally, Lake County GOP Chairman Anthony Sabatini has called for a local property appraiser candidate to drop out or face expulsion over an alleged last-minute qualifying scheme. The Democratic primary in HD 13 is heating up, with challenger Priest raising questions about a write-in candidate's qualifying paperwork, while incumbent Angie Nixon calls her a GOP plant. CollierVotes officials brace for litigation after AlfieOakes2026 disqualification.
Democrats look unusually organized. Republicans gave up on many offices in Orange - and want their own elections guy gone in Seminole. Carlos Smith is back. Monique Worrell wants back. Sabatini gets owned. And more. A primer of Central Florida's 2024 races https://t.co/sVYlcHCNiH
NEW: @LakeGOP Chairman @AnthonySabatini calls on local property appraiser candidate to drop out, or face expulsion from the party, over alleged last-minute qualifying scheme to swipe nomination from GOP incumbent https://t.co/wwaSaAABi4
This is truly a wild Florida election story. Former Rep. Baker and incumbent prop appraiser decided to run as a write-in candidate in order to avoid paying qualifying fee. But at last minute another Republican qualified as the only candidate whose name will be on ballot. https://t.co/b5blhoEuKf
.@CollierVotes officials brace for litigation after @AlfieOakes2026 disqualification Reporting by @JacobOgles https://t.co/5ksJVnZSCb #FlaPol
HD 13 challenger @PriestJax raises questions about write-in's qualifying paperwork. Incumbent @AngieNixon calls her a GOP plant, as Dem Primary heats up. Reporting by @AGGancarski https://t.co/NW2zHgOWk2 #FlaPol https://t.co/VLFlGeM55y
.@CareyBaker097 explores legal options to disqualify opponent after 'deceptive' qualification Reporting by @JacobOgles https://t.co/wNMAetD5N4 #FlaPol
.@Fla_Pol had 11 questions before candidate qualifying week. Here are the answers. Reporting by @JacobOgles and @JesseScheckner https://t.co/dg0GVmCKIB #FlaPol
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — For the first time, Florida Democrats will field candidates in every legislative district, aiming to rebuild in the battleground state.