During the qualifying week for the upcoming Florida elections, several significant developments occurred. Glen Gilzean, a controversial appointee of Governor Ron DeSantis, will not seek re-election as Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Vice Mayor Beth Sweeny was re-elected without opposition to the St. Augustine Beach City Commission. In Pinellas County, all but one of the Constitutional Officers, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Court Clerk Ken Burke, Property Appraiser Mike Twitty, and Tax Collector Adam Ross, were re-elected without opposition. Carlos G. Smith has been elected to the state Senate for District 17 without opposition, becoming the second openly LGBTQ member elected to the chamber in Florida history. Ten Democratic candidates are headed back to the Capitol after receiving no opponents. Traci Phillips was elected unopposed as Citrus County Clerk. Additionally, the Florida Democrats have managed to recruit candidates for every congressional and state legislative district, a feat not achieved by the Republicans.
Florida Democrats will run candidates in all state legislative races for first time in three decades https://t.co/LCESrxqvOr
Here's how โ and why โ @FlaDems found candidates in every legislative district this election cycle Reporting by @JacobOgles https://t.co/FFH9FEWSbP #FlaPol
While every Republican running for Florida Legislature drew a Democratic opponent, eight Democrats return to House unopposed.
Carlos Smith elected without opposition to Senate, all Republican legislators draw Democratic opponents, Bracy Davis snubs brother in busy Florida qualifying day https://t.co/FshbVff6f0
Here's how โ and why โ @FlaDems found candidates in every legislative district in 2022 Reporting by @JacobOgles https://t.co/FFH9FEWSbP #FlaPol
Democrats field candidates in every Florida legislative race. Does it matter? https://t.co/KFR3OiLk4B
10 @FlaDems set to win State Senate and House seats unopposed https://t.co/UaTfXcdzHv
A Democrat in every district and a subdued DeSantis .... takeaways from qualifying https://t.co/I5I9BxLoUX
The @FlaDems managed to recruit a candidate to run in ALL of Floridaโs congressional and state legislative districts. The Republicans didnโt manage to do that, & former State Rep (& very vocal DeSantis critic) @CarlosGSmith just won a state senate seat unopposed. #flapol /1 https://t.co/C7HwbeCcTk
BREAKING: LGBTQ pioneer and pro-equality champion @CarlosGSmith officially won his race for State Senate District 17, becoming the second openly LGBTQ member elected to the chamber in Florida history. ๐ณ๏ธโ๐๐ https://t.co/BBV0hWwYbm https://t.co/f6F9reu6Yi
Traci Phillips elected unopposed in her first run for Citrus County Clerk Reporting by @WrightCitrus https://t.co/4wy6SpKpcp #FlaPol
10 Democratic candidates headed back to Capitol after receiving no opponents Reporting by @GrayRohrer https://t.co/K17Zhupwzu #FlaPol
Qualifying week update: Still working on clarification but it looks like @LakeGov. Co. Property Appraiser Carey Baker, a former Florida legislator, changed his qualifying paperwork to run as a write-in (perhaps to save $) only for someone to qualify last-minute as GOP nominee. https://t.co/Ac56WKyhOe
Qualifying week update: All but one of Pinellas Co.'s Constitutional Officers have been re-elected without opposition. Congrats to @SheriffPinellas Bob Gualtieri, Court Clerk Ken Burke, Property Appraiser @VoteMikeTwitty, Tax Collector @Adam_M_Ross.
.@CarlosGSmith coasts into Senate as only candidate to qualify in SD 17 Reporting by @JacobOgles https://t.co/DaJ887CAE9 #FlaPol
Qualifying has ended and the ballots are about to set for the August primary and November elections. And it does appear that @CarlosGSmith has been elected to the state Senate without opposition. 2 years the GOP targeted him for defeat and he lost his House seat.
Qualifying week update: Vice Mayor Beth Sweeny re-elected without opposition to the St. Augustine Beach City Commission. #FlaPol https://t.co/aJGcfQxL4p
Qualifying week update: @GlenGilzean, a controversial appointee of @GovRonDeSantis, will not seek re-election as Orange Co. Supervisor of Elections. #FlaPol https://t.co/UtpykznBq7
Tim Thomas jumps into SD 19 GOP Primary against @VoteRandyFine Reporting by @JacobOgles https://t.co/nYnqQV0XIQ #FlaPol