ballot ,” Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer said in a news release that noted more than 160 people are expected to appear on the ballot in his county , from candidates for the U . S . Senate to special taxing districts .
Republicans are expected to retain their majorities in the state House and Senate this fall , based on factors such as registeredvoter numbers , 2020 voting patterns and a lack of challengers in many races .
Republican House members who appeared headed toward getting re-elected without opposition were Patt Maney of Shalimar , Jason Shoaf of Port St . Joe , Chuck Brannan of Macclenny , Wyman Duggan of Jacksonville , Cyndi Stevenson of Saint Johns , Joe Harding of Ocala , Stan McClain of Ocala , Tyler Sirois of Merritt Island , Thad Altman of Indialantic , Sam Killebrew of Winter Haven , Melony Bell of Bartow , Will Robinson of Bradenton , James Buchanan of Osprey , Michael Grant of Port Charlotte , Spencer Roach of North Fort Myers , Mike Giallombardo of Cape Coral , Bob Rommel of Naples , Lauren Melo of Naples , Kaylee Tuck of Sebring , Tom Fabricio of Miami Gardens , David Borrero of Sweetwater , Alex Rizo of Hialeah and Daniel Perez of Miami .
Democrats who appeared assured of remaining in the House were Dianne Hart of Tampa , Christine Hunschofsky of Parkland , Michael Gottlieb of Davie , Felicia Robinson of Miami Gardens and Kevin Chambliss of Homestead .
With all Senate seats up for election this year because of the once-a-decade redistricting process , likely winners without opposition included Passidomo of Naples ; Sen . Jennifer Bradley , R-Fleming Island ; Senate Majority Leader Debbie Mayfield , R-Indialantic ; Sen . Danny Burgess , R-Zephyrhills ; Sen . Gayle Harrell , R-Stuart ; Sen . Anna Maria Rodriguez , R-Doral ; and Sen . Jason Pizzo , D-North Miami Beach . Also , House Republicans Erin Grall of Vero Beach and Bryan Avila of Miami Springs had not drawn opposition as they run for Senate seats .
Some Senate races will be fiercely contested this year , including races that emerged in recent days . For example , former Florida State University and NFL football player Corey Simon , a Republican , will take on Sen . Loranne Ausley , D-Tallahassee , in North Florida ’ s Senate District 3 .
In Hillsborough County ’ s District 14 , Sen . Janet Cruz , D-Tampa , will face the winner of a Republican primary involving Jay Collins , a Green Beret veteran backed by Gov . Ron DeSantis , and Shawn Harrison , a former House member who has been supported by Senate GOP leaders .
DeSantis this week also backed Lee County Republican Chairman Jonathan Martin to replace Sen . Ray Rodrigues , R-Estero , who will not run for another term in Senate District 33 . Martin appeared likely to only face a write-in opponent .
One of the more interesting races in the Aug . 23 primaries will feature Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book , D-Plantation , going against former Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief in Senate District 35 .
JUNE 2022 • DITCHMEN 15