Two Republican candidates won Tuesday’s special election in Florida to elect representatives to the US House of Representatives. The election was seen as the first popularity test for US President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
Two seats in the House of Representatives fell vacant after President Trump appointed Republican congressmen Mike Walz and Matt Gaetz to positions in his administration.
The focus was on the fight between Republican Randy Fine and Democrat Josh Vail, who spent 12 times more on his campaign than his Republican opponent. The Democratic candidate lost by a 14-point margin, giving Democrats reason for optimism, as Republican candidate Mike Volz had a 30-point lead in the November election.
Republican Jimmy Patronis defeated his Democratic opponent in the district represented by Matt Gaetz.
President Trump strongly supported both candidates. A Republican victory in these districts with a conservative electorate that traditionally votes Republican was expected. As a result of this victory, Republicans will have 220 seats in the House of Representatives and Democrats will have 213.
Another notable result of the special election was the victory of the Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Susan Crawford won a convincing victory over Republican Brad Schimel, on whose support during the election campaign billionaire Ilon Musk spent $25 million – an unprecedented amount in the history of judicial elections. Not only that, Musk offered $100 to any state resident who signs a petition against “activist judges” and $50 to voters who submit a photo of themselves near a polling place.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit over the legality of redistricting in the state that gave Republican candidates an advantage in congressional elections. Judge Crawford’s election to the state Supreme Court would have resulted in a majority going to Democrats.