Florida goes red, but, man, it was close
Yep. The country is divided, in some cases right down the middle, obvious from the number of tight races, including in Florida, where the blue wave, anticipated from Key West to Pensacola, was more of a blue splash.
Give President Trump credit: He not only inspired his base; Trump, his policies, his bellicosity, motivated pretty much everyone, no matter their party, to get engaged and get to the polls.
In Florida, Democrats fell short in the two highest profile statewide races. In the contest for governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, a Trump devotee, defeated Andrew Gillum, the Tallahassee mayor who pulled off a stunning primary victory in August and was poised to become the state’s first black leader.
Tuesday’s race was a squeaker, following a campaign that spawned dueling appearances between two presidents, one current, one former, and accusations of racism, corruption, hypocrisy — the usual.
In the heated race for the U.S. Senate, Republican Gov. Rick Scott defeated veteran Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. This race, too, was a statistical nail-biter, with an initially listless Nelson campaign getting a lift by aligning itself with Gillum’s. It’s a bittersweet, but not wholly unexpected, an end to the 18-year Senate career of a politician who put Floridians’ interests first.
Yes, the people have spoken, saying loud and clear that neither of these victors has a mandate. What DeSantis will have is a Republican-majority Legislature to support his agenda.
We hope that he also has the capability to compromise, negotiate and listen.
Floridians gamely fought their way through a long ballot, rightly agreeing to restore felons’ voting rights, short-sightedly approving an expansion of the homestead exemption and compassionately ending greyhound racing. In Miami, voters said No to an excessively strong mayor and Yes to moving forward with David Beckham and Jorge Mas’ soccer stadium at Melreese Golf Course. On Miami Beach, the third time was the charm as voters approved a convention center hotel. Teachers in Miami-Dade were winners, too, as voters passed a referendum to give them raises.
South Florida, of course, went rogue and voted blue, again. Former University of Miami president Donna Shalala knocked off Republican opponent Maria Elvira Salazar. Shalala came bearing baggage — her close ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton, UM’s sale of environmentally fragile land. Ultimately, it didn’t weigh her down. Flaws aside, she’s a straight-shooter, while Spanish-language journalist Salazar spoke like a new-age Republican, but couldn’t quite overcome suspicions that she landed more to the right than she let on — especially in the Democratic-leaning District 27.
Shalala will join another newcomer. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell ran an astute and energetic campaign, defeating Republican incumbent Rep. Carlos Curbelo to represent District 26. Curbelo tried his best to straddle the GOP’s damaging policies with his moderate inclinations.
He voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, despite the huge number of enrollees in Greater Miami.
However, the Editorial Board praised Curbelo for creating a bipartisan task force to confront sea-level rise. Voters figured, however: Why not just elected a real Democrat?
Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart convincingly held on to his seat, with a familiar name, seniority and the ability to bring home the bacon propelling him to reelection. He defeated former Judge Mary Barzee Flores, who should stay politically engaged and take another shot at elected office.
Yep, the people have spoken. They had a lot to say.
This story was originally published November 7, 2018 at 12:57 AM.