Ryan Ray
Rep. Travis Hutson prevailed big time Tuesday in his bid to jump up to the Legislature’s upper chamber, defeating Democratic nominee Adam Cox by a margin of about 2-to-1 with nearly all precincts reporting. Hutson will be District 6 senator-elect on Wednesday.
Down the ballot, the battle to replace Hutson — who in turn is resigning from the House to take former Sen. John Thrasher‘s old seat — in House District 24 was won by Paul Renner, who thrashed Democrat Adam Morley, garnering 65 percent of the vote to Morley’s 35 percent.
In the heavily Republican St. Johns County-based House District 17 special election, Cyndi Stevenson won in an even bigger way, cruising over no-party candidate Judy Stevens and write-in Mary Ann Boczek.
The results in the special elections — in which about 10 percent of eligible voters were expected to cast a ballot — finally put to rest the train of falling dominoes after Thrasher’s decision to assume Florida State University’s presidency in November, weeks after securing his Senate re-election.
Hutson issued a victory statement about 45 minutes after polls closed at 7 p.m. in the large and variegated District 6, ebullient in his victory.
“I would like to thank the voters for their unyielding support of my campaign and the values I represent during this special election,” Hutson said. “As I have said many times on the campaign trail, I am passionate about our Northeast Florida community and I am humbled the voters have chosen me to represent the First Coast in the Florida Senate.”
District 6 encompasses Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns counties, and part of Volusia County. Hutson, along with Renner and Stevenson, will enjoy a little extra seniority over their freshman classmates, who won’t take office until January 2017.
Renner also declared victory early in the evening.
“Voters made it very clear that what they want in Tallahassee is a real conservative leader, and I am humbled to have been elected tonight to serve as their voice,” Renner said in a prepared statement.
“I would like to thank our First Coast community for their constant support during this special election, as well as my family, friends and the volunteers who worked around the clock to help secure us a win during this special election for House District 24,” Renner said.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli tweeted, about two hours after polls closed, “Congratulations to the two newest Members of the House – @Paul_Renner and @Vote4Cyndi! We look forward to serving with you!”
The Florida Democratic Party opted not to seriously pursue the seats owing to their constituents’ conservative tinge, though some progressive analysts privately told Florida Politics they were disappointed about the absence of a viable alternative amid the topsy-turvy electoral mini-cycle.
