The Republican primary race for Florida's 9th Congressional District has been called, and Dan Green is reportedly the winner.
The Results
The final tally shows the presumptive victor, Green, finishing with 25.5% of the vote over Ben Butler, who came in second with 24.2%, followed by Thomas Chalifoux with 20.4%.
The Fight
Rep. Soto, the uncontested Democratic incumbent, has held the 9th District seat since 2013 and intends to keep it come November.
Green had to face off against Colonel Thomas Chalifoux, Ret., Marcus Carter, Howard Steven Rance, Jorge Martinez, Justin Story, and Ben Butler.
In May, Chalifoux was able to enter with a hefty $3 million war chest, highlighting his military service and business background, saying, "I've served this country in uniform. I've built and run businesses. I've signed thousands of paychecks. And I've watched as families get squeezed while career politicians like Darren Soto deliver nothing but excuses and partisan gridlock. That ends now."
Jorge Martinez, who came to the United States from Cuba as a boy in 1973, told The Floridian in June that he was confident in his chances. "I am the only one that can talk about some of the issues that everybody is talking about right now," he said, specifying "pushing back against the socialist, left-leaning Democrat Party."
"We can talk about all of these other issues, whether it is the economy or whether it is parental choice or whatever it is," Martinez continued, "but the important thing is pushing back against this socialist ideology, which I always say to people is communist-lite."
Butler made a strong case for himself in a July campaign ad, humorously comparing Washington's "bullsh*t" to his cattle ranching background.
"Growing up on this cattle ranch, I've learned one simple rule. When you see bulls**t, clean it up," Butler said in the ad. "Career politicians have spent years making promises they never intended to keep. Washington is overflowing with excuses, finger-pointing, and political games. The American people deserve leaders who tell the truth, do the work, and deliver results instead of more [bulls**t]."
Will Green be the one who finally flips District 9 red in November?
