U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds secured the Republican nomination for governor in Florida's primary elections on Tuesday, while U.S. Rep. Cory Mills and former Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, a key witness in Donalds' first impeachment trial, lost their respective races.

Donalds, who led in polling throughout the gubernatorial race, defeated 10 other opponents to win the GOP nomination. He secured 47.8% of the vote, more than doubling the support of Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who received 25.2%. Donalds will face former Rep. David Jolly, the winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary, in the general election.

If Donalds wins in November, he would be the first Black governor in Florida's history. The last Democrat to hold the office was Buddy MacKay, who left office in January 1999.

Incumbents Fend Off Challengers

Several incumbent House members from both parties successfully navigated primary challenges. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., defeated four opponents in Florida's 20th Congressional District Democratic primary. She had opted to run in the 20th District, which is more than 60% Black and Hispanic, after state Republicans reconfigured her former district to be more GOP-friendly.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., won his Democratic primary in Florida's 25th Congressional District against a socialist challenger. Moskowitz, a two-term incumbent, was supported by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, while his opponent had endorsements from far-left streamer Hasan Piker and former Rep. Jamaal Bowman.

In the GOP primary for Florida's 6th District, Rep. Randy Fine defeated far-right influencer Dan Bilzerian, who made antisemitic remarks about Fine during his campaign. Fine won by nearly 40 percentage points.

Scandal-Plagued Candidates Lose

Incumbent Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., suffered a significant defeat in the 7th District primary to former Orlando TV news reporter Ryan Elijah. Mills is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. He is the 10th House incumbent to lose a primary election this cycle.

Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., who resigned from Congress last year after being indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds, finished fourth in a comeback bid in Florida's 20th District.

Former Rep. Chris Collins, R-NY, who resigned from Congress in 2019 after pleading guilty to insider trading, garnered only about 7% of the vote in Florida's 19th District, where he was among 10 candidates vying for the seat being vacated by Donalds. Local broadcasting magnate Jim Schwartzel won that GOP nomination.

Vindman Loses Senate Primary

Florida state lawmaker Angie Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated retired Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman in the special Democratic Senate primary. Vindman, who served as a key witness in Donald Trump's first impeachment trial, had positioned himself as an opponent of Trump. Trump commented on Vindman's loss via Truth Social.

Nixon is set to face incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., in November. The winner will serve the remainder of the six-year term originally won by Sen. Marco Rubio in 2022.

New Districts Favor Republicans

Redistricting has created four new congressional districts in Florida that are considered favorable to Republicans. In Florida's 14th Congressional District, former state Rep. Mike Beltran won the GOP primary and will challenge Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla. In the 22nd Congressional District, businessman Casey Askar won the GOP primary and will face Democrat Pia Dandiya. In the 25th Congressional District, former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer won the GOP primary and will face Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.