2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from the state of Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including President of the United States.

A lawsuit challenging the districts under Florida's Congressional District Boundaries Amendment (Fair Districts Amendment) was filed in 2012 and was resolved in 2015. The results of the lawsuit had major repercussions on the congressional races in Florida in 2016. The primaries were held on August 30.

Redistricting lawsuit

In 2014, Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis threw out the congressional map for violating Florida's 2010 Amendment 6 to the state Constitution, commonly called the Fair Districts Amendment. The ruling specifically applied to FL-5 and FL-10. Subsequent rulings by higher courts and concluding in the Supreme Court of Florida also struck down FL-13, FL-21, FL-22 and FL-26, which also necessitated redraws of varying scale to the districts surrounding them.

Results summary

Statewide

District

Results of the 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida by district:

District 1

Republican Jeff Miller had represented the district since being elected in 2001. He considered running for the U.S. Senate. On July 30, 2015, Miller decided not to run for the open Senate seat and announced he would run for reelection. In March 2016, Miller announced he would not run for reelection.

Republican primary

State Senator Greg Evers had expressed his interest in running for this seat if Miller had run for the Senate.

Candidates

Nominee

• Matt Gaetz, state representative

Eliminated in primary

• Rebekah Johansen Bydlak, activist
• Cris Dosev, retired U.S. Marine officer and real estate developer
• Greg Evers, state senator
• Brian Frazier, retired U.S. Navy officer
• Rich Gazlay, businessman
• Mark Wichern, business consultant
• James Zumwalt, retired U.S. Navy officer and grandson of Elmo Zumwalt

Withdrawn

• Gary Fairchild
• John Mills, retired U.S. Navy pilot

Declined

• Jeff Miller, incumbent U.S. Representative

Endorsements

U.S. Representatives

• Ron Paul, former U.S. Representative and candidate for President in 2008 and 2012

Organizations

• Republican Liberty Caucus

Organizations

• Combat Veterans for Congress
• Eagle Forum
• Special Operations Speaks

Individuals

• James T. Conway, former Commandant of the Marine Corps
• Phyllis Schlafly

Statewide officials

• Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and presidential candidate

Polling

Results

In the August 30 primary, Matt Gaetz defeated his six rivals for the nomination.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Steven Specht, law student and former air force intelligence officer

Withdrawn

• Amanda Kondrat'yev, Public Relations Officer at the University of West Florida

General election

Predictions

Results

District 2

Redistricting significantly altered the 2nd, mainly by shifting most of Tallahassee's African American residents to the 5th District. On paper, this made the 2nd heavily Republican. Democrat Gwen Graham represented the district for one term after being elected in 2014, when she beat Republican incumbent Steve Southerland. She did not run for re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Walter Dartland, former deputy attorney general

Eliminated in primary

• Steve Crapps, tree farmer

Declined

• Gwen Graham, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, state representative

Results

The primary results were too close to call as of September 1, 2016.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Neal Dunn, urologist

Eliminated in primary

• Ken Sukhia, former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
• Mary Thomas, general counsel for the Florida Department of Elder Affairs

Withdrawn

• Jeff Moran, custom car business owner and retired police officer (endorsed Sukhia)

Declined

• Marti Coley, state representative
• Matt Gaetz, state representative (running for FL-01)
• Steve Southerland, former U.S. Representative
• Pete Williams, attorney, former statewide prosecutor, and nominee for Leon County State Attorney in 2012

Endorsements

U.S. Representatives

• Steve Southerland, former U.S. Representative

State legislators

• Dennis K. Baxley, state representative
• Allan Bense, former Speaker
• Don Gaetz, former Senate President
• Elizabeth W. Porter, state representative
• Jay Trumbull, state representative
• Will Weatherford, former Speaker

U.S. Senators

• Jeff Sessions, current U.S. Senator from Alabama

U.S. Representatives

• Bill Grant, former U.S. Representative and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1992

State legislators

• Mike Hill, state representative
• Jimmie Todd Smith, state representative
• Charlie Stone, state representative
• Charles Van Zant, state representative

Organizations

• Asian American Hotel Owners Association
• Club for Growth
• Maggie's List
• Senate Conservatives Fund
• Tea Party Express

Debates

Results

Dunn won the primary on August 30, 2016.

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Rob Lapham, retired IT executive

General election

Predictions

Results

District 3

Republican Ted Yoho had represented the district since being elected in 2012, and ran unopposed. Businessman Ken McGurn also ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ted Yoho, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Ed Emery, retired federal probation officer

General election

Predictions

Results

District 4

Republican Ander Crenshaw had represented the district since being elected in 2000. On April 14, 2016, he announced that he would not run for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Rutherford, former sheriff of Jacksonville

Eliminated in primary

• Stephen Kaufman, public relations manager
• Ed Malin
• Bill McClure, St. John's County commissioner
• Deborah Katz Pueschel, perennial candidate
• Lake Ray, state representative
• Hans Tanzler III, former US assistant attorney, attorney, farmer, and son of former Jacksonville mayor Hans Tanzler

Declined

• Aaron Bean, State Senator
• Richard Clark, former Jacksonville City councilmember
• Michael Corrigan, Jacksonville Tax Collector
• Ander Crenshaw, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Lenny Curry, Mayor of Jacksonville
• Jay Fant, State Representative
• Jerry Holland, Duval County Property Appraiser
• Mike Holland, Jacksonville Supervisor of Elections

Polling

Results

John Rutherford won the primary on August 30, 2016.

Democratic primary

Former Jacksonville City Councilman and former state representative Eric Smith announced that he would run for the Democratic nomination. On June 22, 2016, Smith announced that he was withdrawing from the race, leaving no Democratic candidates two days before the close of filing.

Dave Bruderly, an environmental engineer who was the nominee for Florida's 6th congressional district in 2004 and 2006, qualified on the last day of filing, and thus was nominated unopposed.

Candidates

Nominee

• Dave Bruderly, environmental engineer and nominee for Florida's 6th congressional district in 2004 & 2006

Withdrawn

• Eric B. Smith, former state representative

General election

Predictions

Results

District 5

Democrat Corrine Brown had represented the district and its various permutations since 1993. The court-ordered redistricting significantly altered her district. She had previously represented a district stretching from Jacksonville to Orlando. The new map pushed the 5th well to the north and west, and made it a more compact district stretching from Tallahassee to Jacksonville.

Democratic primary

In July 2016, Brown and her chief of staff were indicted on charges of fraud.

Candidates

Nominee

• Al Lawson, state senator, nominee for this seat in 2012 and candidate in 2010

Eliminated in primary

• Corrine Brown, incumbent U.S. Representative
• LJ Holloway

Declined

• Alvin Brown, former Mayor of Jacksonville
• Audrey Gibson, state senator
• Andrew Gillum, Mayor of Tallahassee
• Tony Hill, former state senator
• Mia Jones, State Representative

Debate

Polling

Results

In the Democratic primary—the real contest in this district—she was defeated by former state senator Al Lawson of Tallahassee.

Republican primary

2014 Republican nominee Glo Smith and 2014 Republican candidate Thuy Lowe initially both ran again. Lowe later switched from this district to a campaign for the 10th district. Hence Scurry-Smith ran unopposed on primary day, August 30, 2016.

Candidates

Nominee

• Gloreatha Scurry-Smith, businesswoman, former staff aide to Jennifer Carroll and nominee for this seat in 2014

Withdrawn

• Thuy Lowe, candidate for this seat in 2014

General election

Predictions

Results

District 6

Republican Ron DeSantis had represented the district since being elected in 2012. DeSantis ran for the U.S. Senate, initially creating an open seat, although on June 22, 2016, he withdrew from the Senate race to run for re-election to the House.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ron DeSantis, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Fred Costello, state representative
• G.G. Galloway, real estate broker

Withdrawn

• Sandy Adams, former U.S. Representative
• Malcolm Anthony, attorney
• Adam Barringer, former mayor of New Smyrna Beach
• James Jusick, gun-parts manufacturer and retired police officer
• Ric Keller, former U.S. Representative
• Pat Mooney, direct-mail consultant and brother of Congressman Alex Mooney
• Brandon Patty, political consultant
• David Santiago, state representative (running for re-election)

Declined

• Dorothy Hukill, state senator
• Travis Hutson, state senator
• Mark Miner, former St. Johns County Commissioner
• Doc Renuart, former state representative
• John Rutherford, Duval County Sheriff

Endorsements

U.S. Representatives

• Sandy Adams, former U.S. Representative

Organizations

• Club for Growth

Organizations

• National Association of Realtors

U.S. Representatives

• Jason Chaffetz, U.S. Representative

State legislators

• Fred Costello, state representative

Local officials

• Bob Apgar, Mayor of DeLand
• Tom Laputka, Mayor of Orange City
• John Masiarczyk, Mayor of Deltona

Organizations

• Citizens United

Local officials

• Joe Arpaio, Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona

State legislators

• Aaron Bean, state senator
• Rob Bradley, state senator
• Travis Hutson, state senator

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bill McCullough, businessman

Eliminated in primary

• Jay McGovern, US Navy veteran
• George Pappas, attorney
• Dwayne Taylor, state representative

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 7

Republican John Mica had represented the 7th District since 1992. However, since the Florida Supreme Court's 2015 redistricting decision, Florida's 7th District now includes all of Seminole County and northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Winter Park, and the main campus of the University of Central Florida. In 2012, when Mica ran for re-election, he won with 59% of the vote, his smallest margin of victory in twenty years.

Republican primary

Mica ran for re-election and wound up only facing Mark Busch in the primary election after John Morning ended his campaign in November 2015.

Candidates

Nominee

• John Mica, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Mark Busch, small business owner

Withdrawn

• John Morning, army veteran

Results

Democratic primary

Banker Bill Phillips announced a run for the seat on October 19, 2015, but suspended his campaign in February 2016, and ended it in April.

Stephanie Murphy, a businesswoman, Rollins College professor and former U.S. Defense Department national security specialist, entered the race on June 23, 2016, and ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Candidates

Nominee

• Stephanie Murphy, businesswoman, Rollins College professor and former U.S. Defense Department national security specialist

Withdrawn

• Bill Phillips, banker

General election

Endorsements

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States (2009–2017)

U.S. Representatives

• Gabby Giffords, U.S. Representatives (AZ-08)

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program
• EMILY's List

Predictions

Results

District 8

Republican Bill Posey had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 15th district from 2009 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting. He ran for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bill Posey, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Corry Westbrook, former legislative director of the National Wildlife Federation

General election

Predictions

Results

District 9

Democrat Alan Grayson had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 8th district from 2009 to 2011, prior to the decennial redistricting. On July 9, 2015, Grayson announced he would run for U.S. Senate in 2016 rather than seek re-election. Grayson lost the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat to 18th congressional district Representative Patrick Murphy, who defeated Grayson and was declared the winner on August 30, 2016.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Darren Soto, state senator

Eliminated in primary

• Valleri Crabtree, professor and former Chair of the Osceola County Democratic Committee
• Dena Minning Grayson, biochemist and medical doctor
• Susannah Randolph, district director for Rep. Grayson

Withdrawn

• Ricardo Rangel, former state representative (withdrew May 16)

Declined

• Val Demings, former Orlando Police Chief and nominee for the 10th district in 2012
• Alan Grayson, incumbent U.S. Representative (running for Senate)

Endorsements

U.S. Representatives

• Jim Bacchus, former U.S. Representative
• Diana DeGette, U.S. Representative from Colorado's 1st congressional district and co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Keith Ellison, U.S. Representative from Michigan's 5th congressional district
• Lois Frankel, U.S. Representative from Florida's 22nd congressional district
• Raúl Grijalva, U.S. Representative from Arizona's 3rd congressional district
• Barbara Lee, U.S. Representative from California's 13th congressional district
• Jerry Nadler, U.S. Representative from New York's 10th congressional district
• Mark Pocan, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district
• Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 9th congressional district
• Patricia Schroeder, former U.S. Representative from Colorado's 1st congressional district

State legislators

• Mark S. Pafford, Florida House of Representatives democratic leader

Labor unions

• AFGE
• Air Line Pilots Association, International
• Florida Education Association
• National Education Association
• National Nurses United
• Teamsters
• UFCW
• UNITE HERE Locals 362 & 737
• United Association

Organizations

• Brady Campaign
• Clean Water Action
• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Democracy for America
• EMILY's List
• Feminist Majority
• National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
• National Organization for Women PAC
• National Women's Political Caucus
• People for the American Way
• Progressive Change Campaign Committee

Local officials

• Martha Haynie, Orange County Comptroller
• Viviana Janer, Osceola County commission chair
• Rick Kriseman, Mayor of St. Petersburg

Individuals

• Rita Bornstein, former President of Rollins College
• John Morgan, attorney

U.S. Representatives

• Xavier Becerra, U.S. Representative (CA-34) and Chairman of the House Democratic Conference
• Brendan Boyle, U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district
• Tony Cárdenas, U.S. Representative from California's 29th congressional district
• Gerry Connolly, U.S. Representative (VA-11)
• Luis Gutierrez, U.S. Representative (CA-34)
• Alcee Hastings, U.S. Representative (FL-20)
• Jim Himes, U.S. Representative (CT-04)
• Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Representative from New York's 8th congressional district
• Scott Peters, U.S. Representative from California's 52nd congressional district
• Pedro Pierluisi, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
• Jared Polis, U.S. Representative (CO-02)
• Stacey Plaskett, delegate to the House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Linda Sánchez, U.S. Representative from California's 39th congressional district
• Juan Vargas, U.S. Representative (CA-51)
• Filemon Vela Jr., U.S. Representative from Texas's 34th congressional district
• Nydia Velázquez, U.S. Representative (NY-07)

State legislators

• Randolph Bracy, state representative
• Oscar Braynon, state senator
• John Cortes, state representative
• Janet Cruz, Minority Leader of the house of representatives
• Bobby DuBose, state representative
• Dwight Dudley, state representative
• Joseph Geller, state representative
• Mia L. Jones, state representative
• Shevrin Jones, state representative
• Dave Kerner, state representative
• Larry Lee Jr., state representative
• Gwen Margolis, state senator
• Kionne McGhee, state representative
• Kevin Rader, state representative
• David Richardson, state representative
• Hazelle Rogers, state representative
• Irving Slosberg, state representative
• Cynthia Stafford, state representative
• Richard Stark, state representative
• Dwayne Taylor, state representative
• Alan Williams, state representative

Labor unions

• Florida Police Benevolent Association
• IBEW
• International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
• IUPAT
• LiUNA
• Teamsters Local 2011
• UFW (post primary)

Organizations

• New Democrat Coalition
• Ocean Champions

Newspapers

• Orlando Sentinel

Local officials

• Brandon Arrington, Osceola County commissioner
• Donna Hart, former Mayor of St. Cloud

Individuals

• Dolores Huerta, labor leader & civil rights activist (post primary, endorsed Randolph during primary)
• Kenneth McClintock, former Secretary of State of Puerto Rico

Polling

Results

Soto was declared the winner of the Democratic primary for the 9th District on August 30, 2016.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Wayne Liebnitzky, engineer

Eliminated in primary

• Wanda Rentas, vice mayor of Kissimmee

Declined

• Mike La Rosa, state representative

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 10

Republican Daniel Webster had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 8th district from 2011 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting. However, after redistricting made the 10th substantially more Democratic, Webster opted to run in the neighboring 11th District, which included a slice of his former territory.

Republican primary

Candidates

Geoff LaGarde withdrew his name from the race on June 24, and endorsed Thuy Lowe for the nomination. Lowe was declared the nominee, and no Republican primary was held.

Candidates

Nominee

• Thuy Lowe

Withdrawn

• Geoff LaGarde

Declined

• Daniel Webster, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Val Demings, former Orlando Police Chief and nominee for this seat in 2012

Eliminated in primary

• Fatima Fahmy, attorney
• Bob Poe, former chair of the Florida Democratic Party
• Geraldine Thompson, state senator

Endorsements

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Barack Obama, President of the United States

U.S. Senators

• Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator from Connecticut

U.S. Representatives

• Tony Cárdenas, U.S. Representative from California's 29th congressional district
• Gabby Giffords, former U.S. Representative for Arizona's 8th congressional district
• Steny Hoyer, House Minority Whip
• Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader
• Nydia Velázquez, U.S. Representative from New York's 7th congressional district

Labor unions

• American Nurses Association
• IBEW
• International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers
• LiUNA Local 517
• SEIU
• Teamsters Local 385
• UFCW

Organizations

• Council for a Livable World
• EMILY's List
• National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
• New Democrat Coalition

Newspapers

• Orlando Sentinel

Local officials

• Buddy Dyer, Mayor of Orlando

Individuals

• Cornel West, philosopher and political activist

Organizations

• Central Florida Police Benevolent Association

Polling

Results

Demings was declared the winner of the Democratic primary for the 10th District on August 30, 2016.

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

Predictions

Results

District 11

Republican Rich Nugent represented the district since being elected in 2011 (it was numbered as the 5th district from 2011 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting). He did not seek re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Daniel Webster, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 10th district

Eliminated in primary

• Justin Grabelle, Rich Nugent's former chief-of-staff

Declined

• Rich Nugent, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Webster was declared the primary winner on August 30, 2016.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dave Koller, businessman and nominee for this seat in 2014

General election

Predictions

Results

District 12

Republican Gus Bilirakis had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 9th district from 2007 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gus Bilirakis, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Robert Tager, attorney

General election

Predictions

Results

District 13

Republican David Jolly had represented the district since being elected in a special election in 2014. Jolly ran for the U.S. Senate, initially creating an open seat, though, on June 17, 2016, he withdrew from the Senate race to run for re-election to the House, citing "unfinished business."

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• David Jolly, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Mark Bircher, commercial pilot, retired United States Marine Corps Brigadier General, candidate for the seat in the 2014 special election

Declined

• Rick Baker, former mayor of St. Petersburg
• Jeff Brandes, state senator (running for re-election)
• George Cretekos, Mayor of Clearwater
• Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County Sheriff (running for re-election)
• Frank Hibbard, former mayor of Clearwater
• Jack Latvala, state senator
• Susan Latvala, former Pinellas County Commissioner
• Ash Mason, former staffer to Sen. Marco Rubio
• Kathleen Peters, state representative and candidate for the seat in 2014
• Karen Seel, Pinellas County Commissioner (running for re-election)

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Charlie Crist, former Republican-turned-independent Governor of Florida, independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, and Democratic nominee for Governor in 2014

Withdrawn

• Eric Lynn, political consultant and former White House Middle East policy adviser and Pentagon official (running for state house)

Declined

• Dwight Dudley, state representative
• Rick Kriseman, Mayor of St. Petersburg
• Mary Mulhern, former Tampa city councilwoman
• Darden Rice, St. Petersburg city councilwoman

Endorsements

• Kathy Castor, U.S. Representative
• Janet C. Long, Pinellas County Commissioner
• Wengay Newton, St. Petersburg City councilman
• Karl Nurse, St. Petersburg City councilman
• Darden Rice, St. Petersburg City councilwoman
• Alex Sink, former Chief Financial Officer of Florida, nominee for Governor of Florida in 2010, and nominee for this seat in 2014
• Ken Welch, Pinellas County Commissioner

• Wanda Dudley, Mayor of Kenneth City
• Patricia Gerard, Pinellas County Commissioner
• Sam Henderson, Mayor of Gulfport
• Charlie Justice, Pinellas County Commissioner
• Rick Kriseman, Mayor of St. Petersburg
• Craig Sher, real estate developer
• Peter Rudy Wallace, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

Polling

Predictions

Results

District 14

Democrat Kathy Castor had represented the district since being elected in 2012. She previously represented the 11th district from 2007 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting. Businesswoman Christine Quinn challenged Castor as a Republican.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Kathy Castor, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Christine Quinn, businesswoman

Declined

• Mike Prendergast, former chief of staff to Governor Rick Scott and nominee for this seat in 2010

General election

Predictions

Results

District 15

Republican Dennis A. Ross had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 12th district from 2011 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting. Jim Lange challenged Ross as a Democrat.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dennis Ross, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Lange, business consultant

General election

Predictions

Results

District 16

Republican Vern Buchanan had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 16th district from 2009 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting. Buchanan ran for re-election. Buchanan had previously considered running for the U.S. Senate instead.

Republican primary

If Buchanan had not run for re-election, potential Republican candidates expected to be interested in running included Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, State Senator Nancy Detert, former state senator Pat Neal, Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett, State Representative Greg Steube, and Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight.

Candidates

Nominee

• Vern Buchanan, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• James Satcher

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jan Schneider, attorney

Eliminated in primary

• Brent King, airline pilot

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 17

Republican Tom Rooney had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 13th district from 2007 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting. Rooney considered running for the U.S. Senate, but decided to run for re-election instead.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tom Rooney, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• April Freeman, businesswoman and nominee for the 19th district in 2014

General election

Predictions

Results

District 18

Democrat Patrick Murphy had represented the district since being elected in 2012. On March 23, 2015, he announced that he would run for U.S. Senate rather than reelection, creating an open seat. Murphy defeated Alan Grayson in the primary on August 30, 2016, and faced Marco Rubio in the November general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Randy Perkins, founder and CEO of Ashbritt

Eliminated in primary

• Jonathan Chane, attorney (endorsed Perkins in general election)
• John Xuna, scientist, engineer and Independent candidate for 22nd district in 2002

Withdrawn

• Melissa McKinlay, Palm Beach County Commissioner
• Priscilla Taylor, Palm Beach County Commissioner and former state representative

Declined

• Joseph Abruzzo, state senator
• Dave Aronberg, Palm Beach County State Attorney and former state senator
• Jeff Clemens, state senator (endorsed McKinlay)
• Chris Dzadovsky, St. Lucie County Commissioner
• Dave Kerner, state representative
• Patrick Murphy, incumbent U.S. Representative (running for U.S. Senate)

Endorsements

State legislators

• Wendy Davis, former Texas state senator (2009–2015) and Democratic nominee for Governor of Texas in 2014

State legislators

• Joseph Abruzzo, state senator
• Jeff Clemens, state senator
• David Kerner, state representative
• Jeremy Ring, state senator

Local officials

• Shelley Vana, Palm Beach County commissioner

U.S. representatives

• Alcee Hastings, U.S. representative from Florida's 20th congressional district

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Newspapers

• The Palm Beach Post

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Brian Mast, former U.S. Army bomb technician

Eliminated in primary

• Carl J. Domino, former state representative and nominee for this seat in 2014
• Mark Freeman, physician
• Rick Kozell, attorney
• Rebecca Negron, Martin County School Board member
• Noelle Nikpour, Republican strategist and Fox News commentator

Withdrawn

• Tod Mowery, St. Lucie County Commissioner
• Rick Roth, farmer and former Vice President of the Florida Farm Bureau
• Paul Spain, financial advisor and nominee for the 22nd district in 2014
• Carla Spalding, MSN, RN and Navy veteran (independent candidate)

Declined

• Dan Bongino, former United States Secret Service agent, nominee for U.S. Senate from Maryland in 2012 and nominee for MD-06 in 2014
• Bill Castle, general counsel to Senator Orrin Hatch
• Gayle Harrell, state representative and candidate for 16th district in 2008
• Reed Hartman, former president of the Florida Farm Bureau's State Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Group
• Belinda Keiser, vice chancellor at Keiser University
• K.C. Ingram Traylor, radio show host and community advocate
• Stephen Leighton, former district director for U.S. Representative Tom Rooney
• Patrick Rooney, Jr., state Representative and brother of U.S. Representative Tom Rooney
• Rob Siedlecki, attorney and 2014 State House candidate
• Doug Smith, Martin County Commissioner
• William Snyder, Martin County sheriff and former state representative
• Calvin Turnquest, former Tequesta Councilman and candidate for the seat in 2014
• Gary Uber, businessman

Endorsements

U.S. representatives

• Lincoln Díaz-Balart, former U.S. representative from Florida's 21st congressional district (1993–2011)
• Mike Rogers, U.S. representative from Alabama's 3rd congressional district

Individuals

• Eric M. Javits, former United States Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2003–2009)
• George Lindemann, businessman

Statewide officials

• Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer of Florida

Polling

Results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Young Guns" Program

Debate

Polling

Predictions

Results

Mast defeated Perkins in the general election.

District 19

Republican Curt Clawson had represented the district since being elected in a special election in 2014. He was mentioned as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2016. In May 2016, Clawson announced he would not seek a second term.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Francis Rooney, businessman and former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican

Eliminated in primary

• Dan Bongino, former Secret Service agent and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2012 for Maryland
• Chauncey Goss, Sanibel council member and candidate for this seat in 2012

Declined

• Tom Grady, former state representative
• Paige Kreegel, state representative and candidate for this seat in 2012
• Tom Leonardo, Fort Myers Council member

Endorsements

U.S. Senators

• Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas and 2016 Republican presidential candidate

Forum

Polling

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Robert Neeld

Declined

• April Freeman, businesswoman and nominee for this seat in 2014

General election

Predictions

Results

District 20

Democrat Alcee Hastings had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 23rd district from 1993 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting. Hastings announced in November 2014 that he would run for re-election in 2016.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Alcee Hastings, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gary Stein

General election

Predictions

Results

District 21

Democrat Ted Deutch had represented the district since being elected in 2012. He previously represented the 19th district from 2010 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting. Deutch considered running for the U.S. Senate, but decided to run for re-election instead. If Deutch had run for Senate, State Senator Joseph Abruzzo was interested in running for this seat.

As a result of 2015's statewide redistricting, incumbent Deutch effectively swapped seats with Lois Frankel, then incumbent of the 22nd District. Deutch would seek election to the 22nd District seat while Frankel sought election to District 21.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Lois Frankel, incumbent U.S. Representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Paul Spain

General election

Predictions

Results

District 22

Democrat Lois Frankel had represented the district since being elected in 2012. As a result of 2015's statewide redistricting, incumbent Frankel would effectively swap seats with Ted Deutch, the current incumbent of the 21st District. Frankel sought election to the 21st District seat while Deutch sought election to District 22.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ted Deutch

Republican primary

Boca Raton businessman Joseph Bensmihen was challenging Frankel as a Republican. Physician Marc Freeman had also filed to run as a Republican, but switched to run in the 18th district.

Candidates

Nominee

• Andrea Leigh McGee

Withdrawn

• Joseph Bensmihen, businessman
• Marc Freeman, physician

General election

Predictions

Results

District 23

Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz had represented the district since being elected in 2012. She previously represented the 20th district from 2005 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Debbie Wasserman Schultz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Tim Canova, attorney and professor at Nova Southeastern University

Declined

• Martin Karp, Miami-Dade School Board member

Endorsements

U.S. Senators

• Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator from Vermont and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate

Labor unions

• Communications Workers of America
• National Nurses United
• Transport Workers Union of America
• United Association of Pipefitters, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration

Organizations

• Democracy for America, progressive organization
• Mayday PAC, political action committee founded by Lawrence Lessig to help elect candidates to Congress to pass campaign finance reform
• National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, non-profit organization supporting the legalization of marijuana
• Progressive Democrats of America, progressive coalition
• Working Families Party, progressive minor political party

Newspapers

• The Miami Times
• The Westside Gazette

Individuals

• Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• Joe Biden, 47th Vice President of the United States
• Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee
• Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States

Organizations

• Broward County Central Labor Council, local AFL–CIO body
• Broward County Council of Professional Firefighters, local firefighter union
• Congressional Black Caucus
• EMILY's List
• League of Conservation Voters

Newspapers

• Miami Herald
• Sun-Sentinel

Polling

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joe Kaufman, counter-terrorism researcher, founder of Americans Against Hate, candidate for this seat 2012 and nominee in 2014

Eliminated in primary

• Marty Feigenbaum, attorney and public arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

District 24

Democrat Frederica Wilson had represented the district since being elected in 2012. She previously represented the 17th district from 2011 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Frederica Wilson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Randal Hill, retired NFL player and former U.S. Homeland Security agent

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

Democrat Frederica Wilson was unopposed in the general election.

District 25

Republican Mario Díaz-Balart had represented the district since 2012. He previously represented the 21st district from 2011 to 2013, as well as a different version of the 25th from 2003 to 2011, prior to the decennial redistricting.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mario Díaz-Balart, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Alina Valdes, physician

General election

Predictions

Results

District 26

Republican Carlos Curbelo had represented the district since being elected in 2014.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Joe Garcia, former U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Annette Taddeo, businesswoman, nominee for the 18th district in 2008 and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2014

Polling

Debate

Results

General election

Debate

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" Program

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program

Predictions

Results

District 27

Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen represented the district since being elected in 2012. She previously represented the 18th district from 1989 to 2013, prior to the decennial redistricting.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• David Adams
• Maria Peiro

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Scott Fuhrman, businessman

Eliminated in primary

• Frank Perez, US Army veteran
• Adam Sackrin, attorney

Results

General election

Predictions

Results

See also

• 2016 United States House of Representatives elections
• 2016 United States elections

Notes

Partisan clients