Republicans flipped two congressional seats and won competitive legislative races
Led by President Trump’s dominant performance at the top of the ticket, Republicans charged to victory up and down the ballot Tuesday in Florida, leaving Democrats reeling and overwhelmed by the red wave. Not only did Trump nearly triple his 2016 margin of victory in Florida, but Republicans flipped two congressional seats held by Democrats and maintained total control of state government by winning a series of competitive state House and Senate races. Trump’s victory was propelled by a show of strength in Miami-Dade County, where the president did much better than 2016. Trump’s Miami magic carried over to two congressional seats that include portions of the county. Democratic congresswomen Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Donna Shalala both lost their reelection bids, reversing gains the party had made in Florida during the 2018 midterm elections. Republicans also were able to hold onto an open congressional seat covering portions of Hillsborough and Polk counties that was targeted by Democrats. Further down the ballot, the GOP won the two most competitive legislative races, a pair of state Senate contests that could have put Democrats on the precipice of winning control of that chamber.
