Miami-Dade and Broward favor Democrats in key statewide contests, while Republicans retain important congressional seats. Close races in Miami, legislative changes and municipal elections highlight a politically competitive region.
THE SUN POST DECIDES 2026 | GENERAL ELECTIONS
By Marcos A. Tejeda
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
The Sun Post News
MIAMI, Fla., November 4, 2026. — South Florida emerged from Tuesday’s general election with a complex political landscape, marked by competitive congressional races, changes in legislative representation and municipal elections that will shape the future of some of Florida’s most influential communities.
Across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties, voters participated in contests for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, the Florida Legislature and local government offices.
The November 3 election revealed significant differences between statewide outcomes and voting patterns in South Florida.
Although Republicans won Florida’s major statewide offices, Democratic candidates performed strongly in Miami-Dade and Broward. Meanwhile, Republicans retained important congressional positions, including the seat held by Carlos Giménez.
Two congressional contests in Miami-Dade remained exceptionally close in the preliminary results, requiring continued attention as election officials complete the canvassing and certification process.
Beyond party politics, the election raised important questions about housing affordability, immigration, taxation, infrastructure and economic opportunity throughout the region.
Miami-Dade: A Competitive Political Landscape
Miami-Dade County was among the most closely watched electoral battlegrounds in Florida.
Home to one of the nation’s largest and most diverse Hispanic populations, the county has experienced significant political changes in recent election cycles.
In the 2026 U.S. Senate election, Democratic candidate Angie Nixon received more votes in Miami-Dade than Republican Ashley Moody, despite Moody’s statewide victory.
U.S. Senate Results in Miami-Dade
| Candidate | Votes | Approximate share |
|---|---|---|
| Angie Nixon (D) | 412,650 | 52.9% |
| Ashley Moody (R) | 358,017 | 45.9% |
| Neil J. Gillespie (NPA) | 8,732 | 1.1% |
Nixon’s advantage over Moody was 54,633 votes in Miami-Dade.
The result is notable because Donald Trump carried Miami-Dade in the 2024 presidential election, reversing a long history of Democratic presidential victories in the county.
However, differences between elections do not necessarily establish a permanent change in voter preferences.
Candidate characteristics, economic conditions, campaign issues and turnout can influence results from one election to another.
María Elvira Salazar Faces an Extremely Close Race
One of South Florida’s most closely watched congressional elections occurred in Florida’s 27th Congressional District.
Republican incumbent María Elvira Salazar faced Democratic challenger Eliott Rodríguez in a contest that remained too close to treat as definitively settled in the preliminary count.
With approximately 99% of the expected vote counted, the reported figures were:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| María Elvira Salazar (R) | 124,474 | 50.2% |
| Eliott Rodríguez (D) | 123,358 | 49.8% |
The preliminary margin was only 1,116 votes.
Such a narrow difference places the race within the range that may require an automatic recount under Florida election law.
As of this report, a definitive winner should not be declared without confirmation from election authorities.
The district includes communities where Hispanic voters represent a substantial portion of the electorate.
Issues such as immigration, economic conditions, housing affordability and relations with Latin American countries have played important roles in political discussions throughout the area.
Salazar, a former Spanish-language television journalist, entered Congress after winning election in 2020.
Her much closer race in 2026 stands in contrast to her larger victory in 2024.
The final outcome will depend on the completion of the official vote-counting process.
Mario Díaz-Balart Holds Narrow Preliminary Lead
Another closely contested race unfolded in Florida’s 26th Congressional District.
Republican Representative Mario Díaz-Balart faced Democrat Nicole Locklin and independent candidate Deborah Meidinger Hosey.
Preliminary results showed:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Díaz-Balart (R) | 114,547 | 49.9% |
| Nicole Locklin (D) | 112,775 | 49.1% |
| Deborah Meidinger Hosey (NPA) | 2,348 | 1.0% |
Díaz-Balart’s preliminary advantage over Locklin was 1,772 votes.
The district includes communities in western Miami-Dade and portions of Broward following congressional redistricting.
Díaz-Balart, a longtime Republican member of Congress, sought another term in a district where economic development, immigration, infrastructure and federal policy remain important issues.
Because of the narrow margin, the election requires continued monitoring through certification.
Carlos Giménez Wins Reelection in District 28
Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez secured another term representing Florida’s 28th Congressional District.
The district includes southwestern Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys.
Preliminary results were:
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Giménez (R) | 124,978 | 52.9% |
| Phil Ehr (D) | 107,839 | 45.6% |
| Eddy Rojas (NPA) | 3,443 | 1.5% |
Giménez, a former Miami-Dade County mayor, defeated Democrat Phil Ehr and independent candidate Eddy Rojas.
His reelection maintains Republican representation in a district encompassing suburban, agricultural and coastal communities.
Among the issues affecting the district are housing costs, tourism, environmental protection, transportation and hurricane preparedness.
Oliver Gilbert III Elected to Congress
Democrat Oliver Gilbert III won the election for Florida’s 24th Congressional District, succeeding longtime Representative Frederica Wilson, who did not seek reelection.
Gilbert defeated Republican Te Mayonna Brown.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Oliver Gilbert III (D) | 164,819 | 80.7% |
| Te Mayonna Brown (R) | 39,534 | 19.3% |
Gilbert previously served as mayor of Miami Gardens and as a Miami-Dade County commissioner.
His election brings extensive local government experience to Congress.
District 24 includes communities in northern Miami-Dade and southern Broward.
Gilbert will represent residents facing concerns involving affordable housing, economic development, public safety, education and access to essential services.
His election also marks a transition in leadership following Wilson’s lengthy congressional career.
Broward County: Strong Democratic Performance
Broward County continued to demonstrate substantial support for Democratic candidates.
In the U.S. Senate election, Angie Nixon received 429,761 votes, compared with 218,705 votes for Ashley Moody and 6,586 votes for Neil Gillespie.
Nixon’s margin over Moody was 211,056 votes.
Preliminary voter turnout reached approximately 60.37%, with 666,186 voters participating out of 1,103,545 active registered voters.
The county also hosted several important congressional, legislative and municipal elections.
Jared Moskowitz Wins District 25
Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz defeated Republican Scott Singer, the mayor of Boca Raton, in Florida’s 25th Congressional District.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Jared Moskowitz (D) | 143,753 | 51.3% |
| Scott Singer (R) | 130,787 | 46.6% |
| Peter Jassenoff (LPF) | 5,876 | 2.1% |
The district extends across coastal portions of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade.
Moskowitz’s victory allows Democrats to retain the seat following changes to the district’s boundaries.
The race attracted attention because of the district’s competitive political composition and its representation of several major South Florida communities.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz Reelected in District 20
Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz won another term in Florida’s 20th Congressional District.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) | 182,554 | 74.4% |
| Brent Andersen (R) | 53,361 | 21.7% |
| Kedner Maxime | 9,590 | 3.9% |
Her victory maintains Democratic representation in a district that includes Broward communities.
Wasserman Schultz will continue participating in federal legislative decisions involving government spending, economic policy, healthcare, education and other national issues.
State Legislative Races Bring Additional Changes
South Florida also contributed to changes in the Florida House of Representatives.
In Broward County, Democrat Todd Delmay defeated Representative Hillary Cassel in House District 101.
Democrat Michael Ferguson also won the contest for House District 100.
These results were among the legislative developments that altered the balance of seats in Tallahassee.
Although Republicans retained control of the Florida Legislature, they lost their supermajority in the House.
That change could affect legislative negotiations and the number of votes required for certain actions.
For South Florida residents, representation in the Legislature will continue to influence decisions on property insurance, housing, education, taxation, transportation and state funding.
Broward Municipal Elections Produce New Leadership
Several Broward County municipalities also selected mayors and other local officials.
Among the reported municipal results were:
| Municipality | Winning candidate | Approximate vote share |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Springs | Scott J. Brook | 55.9% |
| Plantation | Nick Sortal | 64.3% |
| Davie | Judith Paul | 59.8% |
| North Lauderdale | Samson Borgelin | 57.8% |
| Lauderdale-by-the-Sea | Randolph Strauss | 53.8% |
| Lauderhill | Denise D. Grant | 84.8% |
In Hollywood, Catherine Uden, Alex Recio and Adam Roberti led their respective City Commission contests in Districts 1, 3 and 5, according to the preliminary figures available.
Hollywood voters also considered ballot questions concerning the management of municipal property and coastal land.
Municipal elections frequently receive less attention than federal contests, but their consequences can be immediate for residents.
Local officials make decisions involving zoning, neighborhood development, public safety, municipal budgets, infrastructure and essential services.
Palm Beach County: Different Political Preferences Across Districts
Palm Beach County’s election results reflected the political diversity of South Florida.
Democratic Congresswoman Lois Frankel won reelection in Florida’s 23rd Congressional District, defeating Republican Deborah Adeimy.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Lois Frankel (D) | 169,831 | 65.6% |
| Deborah Adeimy (R) | 88,876 | 34.4% |
Frankel’s victory maintains Democratic representation in the district.
Palm Beach residents also participated in other congressional races extending across county boundaries.
One of those was District 25, where Jared Moskowitz defeated Scott Singer.
Republican Congressman Brian Mast, representing District 21, remained another significant political figure in the region, although a complete verified vote breakdown for his contest was not available for inclusion in this report.
Taken together, the results demonstrate that Palm Beach County cannot be characterized by a single uniform political preference.
Miami-Dade Municipal Elections
Local elections across Miami-Dade also produced important outcomes.
Several cities selected mayors who will oversee municipal services, budgets and development policies.
Among the preliminary results were:
| City | Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coral Gables | Vince Lago | 10,858 | 56.8% |
| Aventura | Howard Weinberg | 9,786 | 79.0% |
| Opa-locka | Natasha Ervin | 2,024 | 71.2% |
| Sunny Isles Beach | Larisa Svechin | 3,229 | 56.2% |
| Virginia Gardens | Fred Spencer Deno IV | 582 | 69.6% |
| El Portal | George Alvarez | 549 | 56.7% |
These figures reflect preliminary election-night reporting.
Other municipal contests, including races in Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay, required additional review because votes were distributed among multiple candidates.
For newly elected municipal officials, priorities will include managing residential and commercial development, maintaining infrastructure and responding to concerns about the cost of living.
Florida Keys: Republican Advantage in Senate Voting
Monroe County, home to the Florida Keys, also participated in federal, state and local elections.
The county forms part of Congressional District 28, where Carlos Giménez secured reelection.
In the U.S. Senate race, preliminary Monroe County results showed:
| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Ashley Moody (R) | 17,255 |
| Angie Nixon (D) | 14,447 |
| Neil Gillespie (NPA) | 304 |
Moody received 2,808 more votes than Nixon in Monroe County.
The result differed from the Democratic advantages recorded in Miami-Dade and Broward.
The Florida Keys face a distinct set of public policy challenges, including coastal protection, environmental conservation, tourism, affordable workforce housing and hurricane resilience.
Federal, state and local decisions will continue to affect the region’s infrastructure and economy.
The Hispanic Vote Remains Central to South Florida Politics
South Florida is home to one of the most diverse Hispanic populations in the United States.
Miami-Dade includes substantial Cuban, Venezuelan, Colombian, Nicaraguan, Dominican, Puerto Rican and other Latin American communities.
Economic concerns, immigration policy, housing affordability and relations with Latin American countries featured prominently in political discussions during the 2026 election cycle.
The results showed different outcomes across congressional districts and levels of government.
Republicans retained seats such as District 28, while races involving María Elvira Salazar and Mario Díaz-Balart were much closer in preliminary reporting.
At the same time, Democrats received substantial support in several countywide and congressional contests.
However, election totals alone do not establish how each Hispanic community voted.
Understanding the preferences of Cuban American, Venezuelan American, Puerto Rican or other groups requires reliable demographic analysis and post-election research.
The results should therefore be interpreted with attention to geographic differences and the limitations of aggregate voting data.
Amendment 3: Property Tax Changes Ahead
Florida voters also approved Amendment 3, a statewide constitutional measure affecting homestead property tax exemptions.
The amendment provides for increases in exemptions applicable to certain non-school property taxes, subject to the measure’s requirements.
The changes are intended to reduce eligible homeowners’ property tax obligations.
However, they also raise questions about the financial consequences for county and municipal governments.
Local governments rely on property tax revenue to support services such as public safety, infrastructure and administration.
Changes to the tax base could require budget adjustments and renewed discussions about spending priorities.
For South Florida, where housing costs remain a significant concern, the amendment will be closely watched by homeowners, local officials and public finance analysts.
What the Election Means for South Florida
The November 3 election produced several important developments.
First, South Florida’s voting patterns differed substantially by county, district and office.
Miami-Dade and Broward supported Democratic candidates in important statewide contests, while Republicans retained several congressional seats.
Second, the narrow preliminary margins in Congressional Districts 26 and 27 highlighted the importance of completing the official counting and certification process before declaring final outcomes.
Third, legislative and municipal elections changed parts of the region’s political leadership.
From Miami Gardens and Coral Gables to Plantation, Hollywood and communities in Palm Beach County, elected officials will face decisions affecting housing, transportation, economic development and public services.
Finally, the election demonstrated that statewide results do not necessarily reflect the preferences of every major metropolitan region.
Florida’s political landscape continues to vary considerably between urban, suburban, rural and coastal communities.
A Region of Political Contrasts
South Florida remains one of the nation’s most politically, economically and culturally diverse regions.
The 2026 election reflected that diversity through both decisive victories and exceptionally close contests.
Some candidates secured comfortable margins, while others awaited the completion of official procedures to determine their electoral outcomes.
For residents, the consequences will extend beyond party competition.
Housing affordability, property insurance, taxation, transportation, immigration and public infrastructure will remain central to the decisions made by representatives in Washington, Tallahassee and local government.
The next phase will involve the certification of close elections, the transition of elected officials and the development of policies affecting millions of South Floridians.
Election Day has ended, but the political process continues. The decisions made by the region’s newly elected and returning officials will determine how campaign commitments translate into public policy and community outcomes.
THE SUN POST DECIDES 2026
Independent journalism. Informed communities. Stronger civic participation.
Editor’s Note: Vote totals and percentages reflect unofficial results available on November 4, 2026. Close contests remain subject to updates, recounts where required, and certification by the appropriate election authorities.
