Sen. Jason Pizzo defeats Republican candidate Imtiaz Mohammad in SD 37

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - Senate Democratic Leader-designate Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, easily defeated Republican candidate Imtiaz Mohammad by sixteen points (58%-42) to win Senate District 37 on Tuesday night.

A former Miami-Dade prosecutor with a strong party name I.D., Pizzo won his Senate seat in 2018 and won re-election in 2022 without opposition. Before politics, the 48-year-old received his bachelor's degree at New York University, graduate degree at Columbia University, and Law degree at the University of Miami.

Well-respected in party circles, Pizzo earned Senate Democratic Leader-designate honors in 2023. Despite Republican supermajorities, he has been successful in passing legislation to hike penalties for deadly stunt driving, among others.

Possibly taking a page from his days as a prosecutor, Pizzo has established himself as a sharp, savvy lawmaker during Legislative sessions in Tallahassee.

Facing little challenge, Pizzo barely touched the $1 million he raised and spent in his re-election campaign. Instead, he donated $1 million to the Florida Democratic Party and $30,000 to Florida Future Leaders to help win Senate District 3 and House Districts 37 and 91.

Already a political longshot, Mohammad raised little money in his attempt to beat the popular Pizzo. According to reports, the 58-year-old spent $2000, most of which covered the state's qualifying fee.

Previously, Mohammad was registered as a Democrat, including in races he ran in 2018 and 2020. In each race, Mohammed picked up 21% and 35% of the vote, respectively.

While becoming a "Republican", Mohammad gave little previous indication to his support of the GOP. Among his previous endorsements, Mohammad backed Democratic U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tliab.

Dubbed the "Squad", the group has become recognized for its progressive views in Congress. In addition, Mohammad supported U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in his presidential election campaign and Democratic nominee Joe Biden in his presidential campaign in 2020.

Two years later, Mohammad flipped his party registration to Republican. Among his reasoning, Mohammed criticized Democrats for supporting homosexuality and gay marriage.

More recently, Mohammed claimed Republicans would do a better job handling the Israel-Gaza conflict. In his sentiment, he also signaled support to former President Donald Trump to end the conflict.

Leaning Democratic, SD 37 includes Sunny Isles Beach in Miami-Dade County to Deerfield Beach in Broward County.