ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Democrat Tom Keen is heading to the Florida House to represent the residents in Orange and Osceola counties.
Keen defeated Republican Osceola County School Board member Erika Booth to flip Florida House District 35 seat during Tuesday night Special General Election.
He won 51% of the vote to Booth’s 49%, according to vote totals from the Orange and Osceola supervisors of elections. Keen won by 590 votes.
Tom Keen’s Campaign Issued The Following Press Release:
In an exciting conclusion to a spirited and community-focused campaign, Tom Keen has emerged victorious in the race for Florida State Representative for House District 35. Keen’s win symbolizes a significant shift in the political landscape of the district and a new vision for its future.
Launched in May 2023, Keen’s campaign journey has been marked by a strong commitment to addressing the pressing issues faced by the residents of District 35. Focused on unity, public service, and bringing effective change, Keen has been a vocal advocate for property insurance reform, reproductive freedom, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all Floridians.
Throughout his campaign, Keen has emphasized the values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, instilled in him during his 21 years of service as a Naval Flight Officer. His approach to tackling key issues with pragmatic and thoughtful solutions resonated deeply with the voters of District 35, leading to his election victory.
Reflecting on his victory, Keen expressed his gratitude and outlined his vision for the future:
“I am deeply humbled and honored by the trust the people of District 35 have placed in me. This victory is not just about our campaign, but about the voices of our community that demanded to be heard and represented. I’m ready to get to work toward a brighter and more equitable future for every resident of our district.”
Keen’s victory is a testament to his robust grassroots campaign, which saw extensive volunteer engagement and a strong connection with the community. His commitment to listening to and addressing the concerns of his constituents set his campaign apart.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Representative Rita Harris has secured reelection to the Florida House after no opposition qualified to challenge her in District 44 during the state’s candidate qualifying period.
Harris, a Democrat representing House District 44, will return to Tallahassee for another term after neither a Republican, third-party nor write-in candidate entered the race.
Her uncontested reelection reflects continued support within the district and allows her campaign to shift its focus toward supporting Democratic candidates and legislative priorities ahead of the 2027 Legislative Session.
House District 44 includes portions of west Orange County and surrounding communities in Central Florida.
Florida’s General Election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost secured an easy path to a third term representing Florida’s 10th Congressional District after no Democratic, Republican or write-in challengers qualified before the close of Florida’s candidate qualifying period Friday.
“I’m proud that the people of Central Florida continue to put their trust in me, and I don’t take that for granted,” Frost said. “Over the last term, we’ve delivered real results, and now it’s time to build on that.”
Campaign Focuses on Down-Ballot Races
Despite facing no major-party opposition, Frost said his campaign is expanding its political operation to help Democrats compete across Central Florida.
“We’re focused on electing Democrats up and down the ballot.”
The campaign has recruited 87 fellows this summer as part of its year-round organizing program for young people ages 16 to 24. Campaign officials said participants will engage in door-to-door canvassing, phone banking and voter outreach efforts while supporting Democratic candidates throughout the region.
According to the campaign, more than 162 fellows have participated in the program, helping contact more than 157,000 voters during the current election cycle.
Historic Member of Congress
Frost made history in 2022 as the first member of Generation Z elected to Congress. He represents Florida’s 10th Congressional District, which includes much of Orlando and surrounding portions of Orange County.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Representative Bruce Antone has won reelection to the Florida House after qualifying for the 2026 election cycle without opposition.
Antone, who represents portions of Orange County, remains the longest-serving Democratic state lawmaker in Orange County and one of the most senior members of Florida’s Democratic legislative delegation.
Following his reelection, Antone thanked supporters in a statement posted on Facebook.
“Today, I was reelected to the Florida House of Representatives. I didn’t have any opposition. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my time and tenure in the Florida House of Representatives,” Antone wrote.
Under Florida election law, candidates who qualify for office without opposition are automatically elected and do not appear on the ballot.
Antone will begin another term in the Florida House as lawmakers prepare for the 2027 Legislative Session in Tallahassee.