2018 Florida elections

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Florida on November 6, 2018. All of Florida's executive officers were up for election as well as Florida's Class I Senate seat and all 27 seats in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections were on August 28, 2018. The Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate seat held by three-term Democrat Bill Nelson while the Democrats picked up two House seats as well as the office of the Commissioner of Agriculture.

United States Senate

Main article: United States Senate election in Florida, 2018

Senator Bill Nelson (D) ran for a fourth term against Governor Rick Scott (R). The race ended up being the most expensive Senate race in U.S. History. Nelson was narrowly defeated by then-Governor Rick Scott.

United States Senate election in Florida, 2018

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rick Scott	4,099,505	50.06%	+7.82%
	Democratic	Bill Nelson (incumbent)	4,089,472	49.93%	−5.30%
	Write-in		607	<0.01%	N/A
Total votes			8,190,005	100%	N/A
	Republican gain from Democratic

File:Florida Senate Election Results by County, 2018.svg

County results Scott:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Nelson:      50–60%      60–70%

United States House of Representatives

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2018

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, to elect the 27 U.S. Representatives from the state of Florida, one from each of the state's 27 congressional districts. Democrat Donna Shalala defeated Maria Elvira Salazar to succeed retiring Republican congresswoman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in the Miami-based 27th District with Debbie Mucarsel-Powell defeating incumbent Republican congressman, Carlos Curbelo in the 26th District. This changed Florida's congressional delegation from a 16–11 Republican majority to a narrow 14–13 majority.

Governor

Main article: Florida gubernatorial election, 2018

Then-incumbent Republican Governor Rick Scott (since 2011) was term-limited and prohibited from seeking a third consecutive term. Democratic Mayor of Tallahassee Andrew Gillum ran against Republican former U.S. Representative Ron DeSantis. DeSantis narrowly defeated Gillum.

File:Florida Governor Election Results by County, 2018.svg

County results DeSantis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Gillum:      50–60%      60–70%

2018 Florida gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ron DeSantis / Jeanette Nuñez	4,076,186	49.59%	+1.45%
	Democratic	Andrew Gillum / Chris King	4,043,723	49.19%	+2.12%
	Reform	Darcy G. Richardson / Nancy Argenziano	47,140	0.57%	N/A
	Independent	Kyle "KC" Gibson / Ellen Wilds	24,310	0.30%	N/A
	Independent	Ryan Christopher Foley / John Tutton Jr.	14,630	0.18%	N/A
	Independent	Bruce Stanley / Ryan Howard McJury	14,505	0.18%	N/A
	n/a	Write-ins	67	0.00%	N/A
Total votes			8,220,561	100.0%	N/A
	Republican hold

Attorney General

Main article: Florida Attorney General election, 2018

Incumbent Republican Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (since 2011) was term-limited and prohibited from seeking a third consecutive term.

Chief Financial Officer

Main article: Florida Chief Financial Officer election, 2018

Incumbent Republican Chief Financial Officer of Florida Jimmy Patronis was appointed to the office in June 2017 and is seeking a full term in 2018.

Commission of Agriculture

Main article: Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election, 2018

Incumbent Republican Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam (since 2011) is term-limited and prohibited from seeking a third consecutive term.

State Legislature

20 out of 40 seats in the Florida Senate and all 120 seats of the Florida House of Representatives were up for election. The balance of political power before the election for each chamber was:

Senate

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Party		# of seats
Republican	23
Democratic	16
	Vacant	1
Total		40

House of Representatives

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Party		# of seats
Republican	75
Democratic	41
	Vacant	4
Total		120

The balance of political power after the election was:

Senate

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Party		# of seats
Republican	23
Democratic	17
Total		40

House of Representatives

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Party		# of seats
Republican	73
Democratic	47
Total		120

Constitutional Amendments

Florida voters voted on 12 constitutional amendments. An amendment requires sixty percent to pass. Amendment 8 was removed from the ballot before the elections.

Amendment	Name	Summary	Sponsor	Notes	Results
1	Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption	Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed valuation of homestead property greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000 for all levies other than school district levies. The amendment shall take effect January 1, 2019.	The Florida Legislature/House (HJR7105)		Failed to pass 58%–42%
2	Limitations on Property Tax Assessments	Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to permanently retain provisions currently in effect, which limit property tax assessment increases on specified nonhomestead real property, except for school district taxes, to 10 percent each year. If approved, the amendment removes the scheduled repeal of such provisions in 2019 and shall take effect January 1, 2019.	The Florida Legislature/House (CS/HJR 21)		Passed 66%–34%
3	Voter Control of Gambling in Florida	This amendment ensures that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling by requiring that in order for casino gambling to be authorized under Florida law, it must be approved by Florida voters pursuant to Article XI, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution. Affects articles X and XI. Defines casino gambling and clarifies that this amendment does not conflict with federal law regarding state/tribal compacts.	Voters In Charge		Passed 71%–29%
4	Voting Restoration Amendment	This amendment restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation. The amendment would not apply to those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, who would continue to be permanently barred from voting unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore their voting rights on a case by case basis.	Floridians for a Fair Democracy, Inc.		Passed 65%–35%
5	Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees	Prohibits the legislature from imposing, authorizing, or raising a state tax or fee except through legislation approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature in a bill containing no other subject. This proposal does not authorize a state tax or fee otherwise prohibited by the Constitution and does not apply to fees or taxes imposed or authorized to be imposed by a county, municipality, school board, or special district.	The Florida Legislature/House (HJR7001)		Passed 66%–34%
6	Rights of Crime Victims; Judges	Creates constitutional rights for victims of crime; requires courts to facilitate victims’ rights; authorizes victims to enforce their rights throughout criminal and juvenile justice processes. Requires judges and hearing officers to independently interpret statutes and rules rather than deferring to government agency's interpretation. Raises mandatory retirement age of state justices and judges from seventy to seventy-five years; deletes authorization to complete judicial term if one-half of term has been served by retirement age.	Constitution Revision Commission		Passed 62%–38%
7	First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities	Grants mandatory payment of death benefits and waiver of certain educational expenses to qualifying survivors of certain first responders and military members who die performing official duties. Requires supermajority votes by university trustees and state university system board of governors to raise or impose all legislatively authorized fees if law requires approval by those bodies. Establishes existing state college system as constitutional entity; provides governance structure.	Constitution Revision Commission	Amendment was subject to litigation and the Florida Supreme Court has yet to rule on their constitutionality.	Passed 66%–34%
9	Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces	Prohibits drilling for the exploration or extraction of oil and natural gas beneath all state-owned waters between the mean high water line and the state's outermost territorial boundaries. Adds use of vapor-generating electronic devices to current prohibition of tobacco smoking in enclosed indoor workplaces with exceptions; permits more restrictive local vapor ordinances.	Constitution Revision Commission	Amendment was subject to litigation and the Florida Supreme Court has yet to rule on their constitutionality.	Passed 69%–31%
10	State and Local Government Structure and Operation	Requires legislature to retain department of veterans’ affairs. Ensures election of sheriffs, property appraisers, supervisors of elections, tax collectors, and clerks of court in all counties; removes county charters’ ability to abolish, change term, transfer duties, or eliminate election of these offices. Changes annual legislative session commencement date in even-numbered years from March to January; removes legislature's authorization to fix another date. Creates office of domestic security and counterterrorism within department of law enforcement	Constitution Revision Commission		Passed 63%–37%
11	Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes	Removes discriminatory language related to real property rights. Removes obsolete language repealed by voters. Deletes provision that amendment of a criminal statute will not affect prosecution or penalties for a crime committed before the amendment; retains current provision allowing prosecution of a crime committed before the repeal of a criminal statute.	Constitution Revision Commission	Amendment was subject to litigation and the Florida Supreme Court has yet to rule on their constitutionality.	Passed 62%–38%
12	Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers	Expands current restrictions on lobbying for compensation by former public officers; creates restrictions on lobbying for compensation by serving public officers and former justices and judges; provides exceptions; prohibits abuse of a public position by public officers and employees to obtain a personal benefit.	Constitution Revision Commission		Passed 79%–21%
13	Ends Dog Racing	Phases out commercial dog racing in connection with wagering by 2020. Other gaming activities are not affected.	Constitution Revision Commission		Passed 69%–31%

External links

• Candidates at Vote Smart
• Candidates at Ballotpedia
• Campaign finance at National Institute on Money in State Politics