Halfway through Florida’s legislative session, the state hosted a series of critical elections as state lawmakers begin their work to craft the budget and battle of tax cuts emerges. On April 1, voters delivered verdicts in two pivotal congressional races and three special elections to fill state legislative seats vacated by lawmakers seeking higher office. Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, the House and Senate are squaring off over spending priorities, promising to shape Florida’s future.
The electoral spotlight first shone on the U.S. House, where Republicans shored up their razor-thin majority with a pair of hard-fought victories. In Florida’s 1st Congressional District, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis stepped into the void left by Matt Gaetz’s, who had vacated the seat in mid-November after President Donald Trump tapped him as his initial pick for attorney general. Patronis faced Democrat Gay Valimont, who came in strong with a wave of late spending and even clinched her home turf of Escambia County. But outside that pocket, Patronis dominated, securing nearly 57% of the vote. The win kept the Panhandle district firmly in GOP hands.
Across the state in District-6, former state Senator Randy Fine prepared to succeed Mike Waltz, who had resigned in January to serve as national security adviser. This race should not have been a real contest—President Trump had carried the district by 30 points in November. Fine secured the president’s endorsement and ultimately coasted to a win over Democratic Josh Weil who raised a staggering $10 million to Fine’s $1 million. Despite the cash disparity, Fine prevailed, delivering another boost to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s fragile majority.
At the state level, special elections clear up who will be heading to Tallahassee. In Senate District 19, spanning Central and South Brevard County, former Senator Debbie Mayfield staged a triumphant return. She crushed a field of three Republican primary challengers on April 1, claiming 60.81% of the vote. Having previously won this district convincingly, Mayfield’s path back to the Senate looked all but assured.
In House District 3, former Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles emerged from a crowded field of eight Republicans to win the primary. He now faces a June 10 general election with Democrat Dondre Wise to replace Joel Rudman, who had resigned to mount an unsuccessful congressional bid.
Meanwhile, in House District 32, insurance company owner Brian Hodgers outlasted dermatologist Dr. Terry Cronin and Republican Liberty Caucus leader Bob White in the GOP primary. Hodgers, too, advanced to a June 10 special election, vying to succeed Debbie Mayfield in the House.
As ballots were counted, a fiscal debate is brewing in the Capitol. The Senate unveiled a $117.36 billion budget. The plan includes:
– A 4% raise for state employees
– $29.6 billion for K-12 education—boosting per-student spending from $8,987.67 to $9,122.93
– $48.7 billion for health care, with $35.6 billion to fund Medicaid and KidCare
– $18 billion for transportation
– And $10.4 billion to agriculture and environmental programs.
The House, however, proposed a leaner budget. Its $112.95 billion proposal slashed $6 billion from last year’s budget, landing $4.4 billion below the Senate’s figure and $2.7 billion shy of Governor Ron DeSantis’s outline. The House to cut wasteful spending and banning state funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the board. Other highlights of the House proposal includes:
– $11.3 billion for Florida’s Education Finance Program
– $100 million for veteran teacher raises
– $300 million for rural and family lands
– $80 million to tackle nursing shortages
– And $285 million for affordable housing programs and the Hometown Heroes program
Tax cuts are adding another layer of intrigue. Gov. DeSantis is pushing for a property tax reduction, a move requiring voter approval to amend the state constitution. Speaker of the House Danny Perez countered with a push to slash the state’s sales tax, promising swift relief at the register. Senate President Ben Albritton is somewhere in the middle. He welcomed all ideas but leans toward a “nonrecurring” tax break. While Florida has continued to benefit from growing revenues, the debate isnt just about whether to cut taxes, but how—and which plan could cross the finish line.
As the session barrels toward Sine Die, election victories have fortified Republican power in Congress, while budget and tax decisions loom as defining tests for the state’s top power players. In Tallahassee, we are focused on keeping you informed of the latest. Your continued support to our political committee remains a key driver in our ability to foster champions for our industry.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about any policies moving through the legislative process.