GOP limits Dem gains in Florida House seats

Republicans locked down a series of key Florida House seats on Tuesday, thwarting Democratic hopes that a blue wave would crash over the state.

In Florida’s 6th District, Republican Michael Waltz sailed to a comfortable victory over Democrat Nancy Soderberg. Likewise, in the state’s 16th District, Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) easily beat back a challenge from Democrat David Shapiro.

And in Florida’s 18th District, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) defeated Democrat Lauren Baer. Meanwhile, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) secured another term in office after beating Democrat Mary Barzee Flores in the 25th District.

The GOP also locked down a win in Florida’s 15th District – a toss-up district – after Republican Ross Spano edged out Democrat Kristen Carlson to succeed retiring Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.)

While The Cook Political Report rated those four races as leaning Republican, the comfortable margins by which the GOP carried the districts may be an early signal that Florida might not break for Democrats as they had once hoped.

The results in Florida aren’t all bad for Democrats. In Florida’s 27th District, Democrat Donna Shalala beat out Republican Maria Elvira Salazar to secure her place as retiring Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s successor. 

That race was rated by Cook as “Lean Democrat.”

Likewise, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell ousted Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) in Florida’s 26th District, delivering her party their second pick-up in the state.

–Updated at 9:54 p.m.