Eskamani Wins Traditionally Blue Orlando District, Others Flip Red

ORANGE COUNTY (FLV) – Democrat Anna Eskamani won District 42 with around 57% of the vote against Republican opponent Bonnie Jackson, who came in at around 42%.

In an Orlando Weekly report, they claim Eskamani winning the election “proves Florida Dems need to run more progressives.”

They did not mention that Eskamani’s district, which is in Orange County running through Orlando, is one of Florida’s deeper blue districts. Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist lost against Gov. Ron DeSantis statewide, but Crist won in Orange County handily.

Democrat Carlos G. Smith, who holds progressive views similar Eskamani, lost his seat, which includes part of Orange and Seminole County. Seminole flipped for DeSantis this cycle. Smith lost his Florida House District 49 seat against Republican opponent Susan Plasencia.

Another Democrat with progressive views lost in the formerly Democrat stronghold of Hillsborough County. Republican Danny Alvarez defeated Democrat state Rep. Andrew Learned in House District 69. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis flipped blue districts such as Miami, Palm Beach, Osceola, Hillsborough, and Pinellas, in the “red tsunami” that hit Florida Tuesday.

Florida Republicans gained a supermajority in the state legislature, and gained several congressional seats.