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2022 United States Senate election in Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2022 United States Senate election in Florida was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Florida. Incumbent Republican Senator Marco Rubio won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic nominee Val Demings in a landslide victory. Rubio was first elected in 2010, filling the seat of appointed Senator George LeMieux. Rubio won re-election to a third term, becoming the first Republican to do so in Florida history.[1] Rubio was sworn in for what would be his last term in the senate serving from January 3, 2023, to January 21, 2025, when he assumed the office of United States Secretary of State in the second Trump administration.
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The primary elections for Republicans and Democrats took place on August 23 to finalize candidates for the November election.[2][3] Rubio won the uncontested Republican primary, while incumbent U.S. Representative Val Demings won the Democratic nomination.
Despite some predicting a close race early,[4] Rubio went on to win by a comfortable 16.4%, improving upon his 2016 performance by 8.7%. According to exit polls, Rubio won 64% of White voters, 56% of Latino voters, and 9% of African American voters.[5] Demings' 41.27% share of the vote was the worst performance for a Democrat in a Senate race in Florida since 1994.
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Republican primary
Summarize
Perspective
Candidates
Nominee
- Marco Rubio, incumbent U.S. senator[6]
Did not qualify
- Kevin DePuy, former Marine Corps sergeant[7]
- Howard Knepper, businessman and perennial candidate[8] (ran as a write-in candidate)
- Jake Loubriel, Florida National Guardsman[9]
- Ervan Katari Miller, perennial candidate[10]
- Earl Yearicks IV, maritime captain[11]
Withdrawn
- Calvin Driggers, businessman[12][13]
- Luis Miguel, conservative writer and activist[14] (ran for State House)
- Angela Walls-Windhauser, perennial candidate[15]
Declined
- Pam Bondi, former Florida attorney general[16]
- Matt Gaetz, U.S. representative[17][18] (ran for re-election)
- Brian Mast, U.S. representative[17] (ran for re-election)
- Roger Stone, political consultant[19][20]
- Donald Trump, former president of the United States[21] (endorsed Rubio)[22]
- Ivanka Trump, former advisor to the President[23][24]
- Michael Waltz, U.S. representative (ran for re-election)[25]
Endorsements
Marco Rubio
U.S. presidents
- Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)[26]
Sheriffs
- 55 county sheriffs[27]
Organizations
- Associated Industries of Florida[28]
- Florida Fraternal Order of Police[29]
- Pro-Israel America[30]
- Republican Jewish Coalition[31]
- Tea Party Express[32]
Labor unions
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Democratic primary
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Perspective

Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
- Ricardo de la Fuente, perennial candidate and son of Rocky de la Fuente[35]
- Brian Rush, former Minority Whip of the Florida House of Representatives[35]
- William Sanchez, immigration lawyer and former special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice[36]
Did not qualify
Withdrawn
- Allen Ellison, policy consultant and nominee for Florida's 17th congressional district in 2018 and 2020[44] (ran for U.S. House)[45]
- Alan Grayson, former U.S. representative and candidate in 2016[46] (ran for U.S. House)[47]
- Ilya Katz, Loyola University Chicago professor[48]
- Allek Pastrana, engineer[49] (ran for U.S. House)[50]
- Ken Russell, Miami City Commissioner[51][52] (ran for U.S. House)
Declined
- Aramis Ayala, former state attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida (2017–2021)[53] (ran for Attorney General)[54]
- Charlie Crist, U.S. representative, former governor of Florida, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, and nominee for governor in 2014 (ran for governor)[55]
- Ted Deutch, U.S. representative[56][57][58]
- Anna Eskamani, state representative[59][60]
- Nikki Fried, Florida commissioner of agriculture[61] (ran for governor)[62]
- Gwen Graham, Assistant Secretary of Education for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, former U.S. representative, and candidate for governor in 2018[61]
- Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, former U.S. representative[63]
- Stephanie Murphy, U.S. representative[64][65]
Endorsements
Val Demings
U.S. Senators
- Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator from New York (2009–present)[66]
U.S. Representatives
- Kathy Castor, U.S. Representative from Florida's 14th congressional district (2007–present)[67]
- Luis Gutiérrez, former U.S. Representative from Illinois's 4th congressional district (1993–2019)[68]
State officials
- Alex Sink, former Chief Financial Officer of Florida (2007–2011)[69]
Organizations
- Congressional Black Caucus PAC[70]
- Democratic Majority for Israel[71]
- End Citizens United[72]
- EMILY's List[73]
- Feminist Majority PAC[74]
- Giffords[75]
- Human Rights Campaign[76]
- Jewish Democratic Council of America[77]
- League of Conservation Voters[78]
- March On[79]
- Population Connection Action Fund[80]
Labor unions
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East[81]
- AFSCME Florida[82]
- Communications Workers of America[83]
- Service Employees International Union Florida[84]
Newspapers
Alan Grayson (withdrawn)
Individuals
- Marianne Williamson, author and candidate for President of the United States in 2020[87]
Polling
Results

Demings
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- >90%
Rush
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
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Independent and third-party candidates



Libertarian Party
Candidates
Qualified
- Dennis Misigoy, former chairman of the Enclave at Black Point Community Development District board of supervisors (2016–2021)[91]
Unity Party
Candidates
Did not file
- Shantele Bennett, financial advisor and candidate for mayor of Orlando in 2019[92]
Independent candidates
Candidates
Declared
- Steven B. Grant, former mayor of Boynton Beach (2016–2022)[93]
- Quoc Tuan Nguyen, Florida Institute of Technology professor[94]
Did not qualify
- Carlos Barberena, digital marketing consultant[95]
Did not file
- Grace Granda, business consultant[96]
Withdraw
- Jason Holic, businessman[97]
Declined
- David Jolly, chairman of Serve America Movement and former U.S. representative[98]
- John Morgan, attorney and medical marijuana advocate[56]
- Joe Scarborough, MSNBC host and former U.S. representative[99]
Write-ins
Candidates
Declared
- Jay An
- Uloma Uma Expete
- Edward Gray
- Salomon Hernandez Sr.
- Howard Knepper, businessman and perennial candidate
- Moses Quiles, security technician
General election
Summarize
Perspective
Predictions
Endorsements
Marco Rubio (R)
U.S. presidents
- Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)[26]
U.S. Senators
- Rick Scott, U.S. Senator from Florida (2019–present)[109]
U.S. Representatives
- Vern Buchanan, U.S. Representative from Florida's 16th congressional district (2013–present)[110]
- Greg Steube, U.S. Representative from Florida's 17th congressional district (2019–present)[110]
State officials
- Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida (2019–present)[111]
Sheriffs
- 55 county sheriffs[27]
Organizations
- American Israel Public Affairs Committee[112]
- American Seniors Association[112]
- Armenian National Committee of America[112]
- Associated Industries of Florida[28]
- Campaign for Working Families[112]
- Citizens Against Government Waste[113]
- Florida Family Action[112]
- Florida Police Chiefs Association[114]
- GOPAC Election Fund[112]
- National Federation of Independent Business – Florida[112]
- National Right to Life Committee[112]
- Pro-Israel America[30]
- Republican Jewish Coalition[31]
- Susan B. Anthony List[112]
- Tea Party Express[32]
Labor unions
Val Demings (D)
U.S. presidents
- Joe Biden, 46th president of the United States (2021–present)[116]
U.S. Senators
- Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator from New York (2009–present)[66]
- Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator from Connecticut (2013–present)[117]
U.S. Representatives
- Kathy Castor, U.S. Representative from Florida's 14th congressional district (2007–present)[67]
- Charlie Crist, U.S. Representative from Florida's 13th congressional district (2017–2022) and 44th governor of Florida (2007–2011)[118]
- Luis Gutiérrez, former U.S. Representative from Illinois's 4th congressional district (1993–2019)[68]
State officials
- Nikki Fried, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture (2019–2023)[119]
- Alex Sink, former Chief Financial Officer of Florida (2007–2011)[69]
Local officials
- Jane Castor, mayor of Tampa (2019–present)[120]
Individuals
- Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States[118]
- Jenifer Lewis, actress[121]
- Oprah Winfrey, businesswoman and talk show host[122]
Organizations
- Congressional Black Caucus PAC[70]
- Democratic Majority for Israel[71]
- EMILY's List[73]
- Feminist Majority PAC[74]
- Giffords[75]
- Human Rights Campaign[76]
- Jewish Democratic Council of America[77]
- League of Conservation Voters[78]
- March On[79]
- Population Connection Action Fund[80]
Labor unions
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East[81]
- AFSCME Florida[82]
- Communications Workers of America[83]
- National Education Association[123]
- Service Employees International Union Florida[84]
Newspapers
Polling
Aggregate polls
Graphical summary
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Hypothetical polling
Marco Rubio vs. Aramis Ayala
Marco Rubio vs. Alan Grayson
Marco Rubio vs. Stephanie Murphy
Marco Rubio vs. generic Democrat
Debates
Results


By county
By congressional district
Rubio won 20 of 28 congressional districts.[179]
Voter demographics
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See also
- Elections in Florida
- Political party strength in Florida
- Florida Democratic Party
- Florida Republican Party
- Government of Florida
- 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida
- 2022 Florida gubernatorial election
- 2022 Florida House of Representatives election
- 2022 Florida Senate election
- 2022 Florida elections
- 2022 United States gubernatorial elections
- 2022 United States elections
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Notes
Partisan clients
- Poll conducted for Tripp Scott, a law firm associated with the Florida Republican Party.
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References
External links
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