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    • Republican Haridopolos defeats Democrat Kennedy in Congressional race
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    Republican Haridopolos defeats Democrat Kennedy in Congressional race

    Umito Posted on

    Republican Mike Haridopolos was victorious in his attempt to succeed Bill Posey as a congressman from Brevard and Indian River counties.

    Haridopolos received 62.25% of the vote, compared to 37.75% for his Democratic opponent, the lawyer. Sandy Kennedy.

    Posey, a Republican from Rockledge, has represented the district in Congress for nearly 16 years but chose not to seek re-election this year to a ninth two-year term.

    Haridopolos, an Indian Harbor Beach resident who describes himself as “a traditional conservative Republican,” owns MJH Consulting, an economic and political consulting firm. Prior to that, he served as a member of the Florida Senate from 2003 to 2012, including President of the Senate from 2010 to 2012. He also served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2003.

    Kennedy, a resident of unincorporated Brevard north of Cocoa, is an attorney specializing in construction law. She describes herself as belonging to “the moderate category” on the political spectrum.

    Haridopolos said he was “really excited” about the results and “ready to get to work” in Washington.

    Haridopolos said his top initial priorities as a congressman would be working to “secure the borders” against illegal immigration and “making America more affordable.” He said he would work to lower oil prices and “reduce runaway government spending.”

    “I am honored to be the next Congressman from District 8,” Haridopolos said. “Thank you to the voters, our volunteers and our supporters for your trust. Voters spoke loud and clear in this election. They want a member of Congress who will make America affordable again, end immigration underground and rein in government spending. I will work every day to achieve this. And I will strive to end the partisan gridlock in Congress to get things done.”

    Haridopolos said he was proud that “we ran a positive campaign.”

    “We talked about ideas and solutions, and we didn’t get stuck in the mud,” Haridopolos said.

    Haridopolos also thanked Posey and his wife, Katie, for their service to the community.

    “I was honored to have Congressman Posey’s full support and am committed to continuing his legacy of service and conservative leadership,” Haridopolos said.

    “I have some really big shows to fill,” Haridopolos said.

    Both candidates won the primaries

    Brevard 2024 election results: Live Brevard County Election Results 2024

    Florida 2024 election results: Florida General Election 2024: Live Results and Maps

    Haridopolos and Kennedy became their party’s nominees after winning the August 20 primary election.

    Haridopolos won a three-candidate Republican primary by a wide margin, receiving 72.12% of the vote. Business executive John Hearton of Satellite Beach owned 21.74 percent. Corporate lawyer Joe Babits of Indian River Shores trailed with 6.14 percent, after dropping out of the race late in the campaign and supporting Hearton.

    In the Democratic primary, Kennedy defeated West Melbourne City Council member Daniel McDow by a margin of 60.69% to 39.31%. McDow says that as a “loyal, lifelong Democrat,” he supported Kennedy and the entire Democratic ticket in the general election.

    The district — which also includes the eastern Orange County communities of Bithlo, Christmas and Wedgefield — is leading Republican, with 46 percent of registered voters being Republican; 26% Democrats; and 28% of either voters with no party affiliation or members of minor political parties.

    The 8th District was the only congressional district in Florida that did not have an incumbent candidate.

    Comments on the victory celebration

    At a victory celebration and election watch party at the Melbourne Auditorium, Haridopolos said: “The challenges ahead are vast. But I will answer this call every day, because you have given me this incredible honor. I promise you and our righteous nation that I will devote myself to the cause of freedom. And tomorrow this work begins.

    “But tonight, let’s celebrate a little.” Have a good time,” he said, drawing cheers. “Chart a new path to the American dream.” And God bless Donald Trump and God bless the United States of America. »

    Haridopolos also referenced NASA and SpaceX’s Monday evening launch of the CRS-31 resupply mission to the International Space Station from the Kennedy Space Center.

    “Every day we literally reach for the stars. This is the Space Coast. And we will make it bigger, stronger, faster and become a world leader in innovative technology,” Haridopolos said.

    “And not only are we going to do this for jobs, but here’s the even more important reason: We are currently in a de facto cold war with China. And we will have, under my pressure, space dominance to ensure that our men and women have GPS and other necessary devices,” he said.

    “God forbid we end up in a war, space domination is necessary. And that’s what we’re going to push for every day in the U.S. Congress,” he said.

    Applicant endorsements

    Haridopolos won a wide range of support. Among them were Donald Trump, former president of the United States and Republican presidential candidate in the 2024 election; Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott: U.S. Representative Bill Posey; Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise; House Majority Whip Tom Emmer; Elise Stefanik, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference; Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody; Jimmy Patronis, Florida CFO; Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson; Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey; as well as more than 30 other local elected officials from Brevard and Indian River counties. It was also endorsed by the National Rifle Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.

    Kennedy’s supporters included the Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus; the Jewish Caucus of the Democratic Party; Attention American Committee for Health Care Protection; Defense of democracy; Gun sense.

    Haridopolos had a large advantage over Kennedy in fundraising and campaign spending in that election.

    Rick Neale contributed to this story.

    Dave Berman is a business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at [email protected]the @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

    Results

    After early votes and absentee ballots are counted and all precincts report their votes on Election Day, here are the vote totals:

    Haridopolos: 280,043 (62.25%)

    Kennedy: 169,801 (37.75%)

    Umito
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