TAMPA, Fla. — Florida's Election Day races have been called, and we followed a number of them locally, statewide and nationally. 

Spectrum News will continue to have coverage and analysis of all the local races. 

Get the latest election results for the Tampa Bay area.

Florida Senate

Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott easily defeated former Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to win a second term Tuesday, and he will now look toward running for Senate leadership.

In the race, Sen. Rick Scott had raised nearly $30 million from 2019 through October 2024, according to the most recent campaign filing released October 15. Comparatively, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell earned just over $25 million from 2017 through October 2024. 

Scott easily cleared a primary challenge, earning 84.4% of the vote against challenger Keith Gross. Mucarsel-Powell’s primary race was closer, but not enough to make the race a nailbiter. She earned 68.6% over three other Democratic contenders. 

The race centered on several key issues, including the economy, immigration, and abortion, a key issue in the state due to the Constitutional Amendment also on the ballot Tuesday.

 

 

 

ABOVE: Our Election Night analysts discuss Rick Scott's victory.

Florida Amendment 3 - Legalize Marijuana

FAILED: Legalize recreational marijuana use

Amendment 3 fell short of the 60% required to become part of the constitution, so recreational marijuana will remain illegal in Florida.

Medicinal use of marijuana is already legal in Florida.

Under the amendment, people 21 and older would have been legally allowed to possess three ounces of marijuana at a time.

Existing Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers would have been authorized to sell the marijuana. The state would've controlled the process of licensing other entities to cultivate, process and sell marijuana.

Supporters believed marijuana does not need to be outlawed like other substances, would allow law enforcement to focus on stopping more deadly drug use and create an additional tax base for Florida.

Opponents argued legalizing marijuana might create a smell in public, hurt quality of life and unfairly benefit certain corporations.

Florida Amendment 4 - Right to Abortion Initiative 

FAILED: Protect abortion rights up to “viability”

Voters defeated a measure to add abortion rights to the Florida state constitution on Tuesday

Most voters supported the Florida measure, but it fell short of the required 60% to pass constitutional amendments in the state.

The result was a political win for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that will keep in place the state’s ban on most abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy.

If the amendment passed, it would have protected access to abortion up to “viability.”

Viability is not defined in the amendment, though most doctors suggest it would've been the 23-24 week mark.

Supporters believed the Florida legislature went too far with its six-week abortion ban, and that the government should not be involved with these decisions.

Opponents argued the amendment is misleading, too vague and the life of the fetus should be protected.

U.S. House District 13 

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna won the race for Florida’s 13th congressional district, defeating Democratic challenger Whitney Fox.

Democratic challenger Whitney Fox won her party primary in August, beating out four challengers with 58.1% of the vote at the time. 

In terms of fundraising, Luna raised over $3 million  by the October 15 filing deadline. In comparison, Fox raised just under $3 million.

Luna first won the seat in 2022, after defeating Democratic challenger Eric Lynn with 53% of the vote. The seat was previously held by former Gov.. Charlie Crist.

U.S. House District 15

Rep. Laurel Lee won reelection in District 15 Tuesday, defeating Democratic challenger Pat Kemp.

Lee won her party primary in August, beating out two other challengers with 72.3% of the vote at the time. 

In terms of fundraising, Lee had raised over $2 million by the October 16 filing deadline, and spent $1.3 million of that. In comparison, Kemp raised just under $500,000 and spent $285,000.

The seat is currently held by Lee, who held the seat since 2022. The seat was held by Republican Rep. Scott Frankllin before that.

Hillsborough State Attorney

Suzy Lopez will retain her State Attorney seat, defeating former State Attorney Andrew Warren. 

Lopez was appointed to the role after Gov. Ron DeSantis removed Warren from office in 2022.

Warren has released a statement after it appeared he would lose his race to Republican Suzy Lopez. Warren said that the best side doesn’t always win, and pointed to his suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis after he was previously elected twice.

“I’m proud of the race we ran,” Warren said in a statement. “The best candidate doesn’t always win, especially when the other side cheats — illegally suspending you, then spending millions of dollars lying about you."

In a bid to win his job back in November, Andrew Warren won his Democratic primary for Hillsborough County State Attorney

Hillsborough County Referendum 1

County voters approved this referendum to renew the current half-cent Community Investment sales tax from December 1, 2026, through December 31, 2041, which will fund infrastructure for transportation, public safety, public works, public facilities, and schools. Revenue from the tax will be shared between the county, municipal governments, and the school board. 

Hillsborough County Referendum 2

Voters approved this referendum to authorize the Hillsborough County School District to create an ad valorem tax to fund teacher and staff salaries, as well as academic programs. Funds will also be used for charter schools. If approved, this tax will last until June 30, 2029.

Florida Amendment 1 - Partisan School Board Elections

Failed: Would have made school board races partisan

Voters shot down Amendment 1, deciding by a margin of 54 percent to 45 percent that school board candidates will not run with party affiliation.

Currently, a candidate for school board in Florida does not have to say whether they are a Republican, Democrat or Independent, nor does party affiliation appear next to their name on the ballot.

Florida Amendment 2 - Right to Fish and Hunt

Pass: Enshrine a right to hunt/fish in Florida’s constitution

Voters passed Amendment 2, meaning hunting and fishing would be preserved in the state’s constitution and stand as a blocker to any future challenges to hunting and fishing.

Supporters believe that’s valuable. Opponents argue it’s unnecessary and might hinder attempts to protect animals from barbaric forms of hunting or fishing.