Ryan Nicol
Democrat Jim Bonfiglio and Republican Mike Caruso came out ahead in their respective primaries Tuesday night, setting up a showdown between the pair this November.
Bonfiglio defeated Ryan Rossi 57 percent to 43 percent. Caruso ended the night with a similar margin, leading Matt Spritz 56 percent to 44 percent.
Bonfiglio, the Mayor of Ocean Ridge, appeared to be the favorite in the primary. He earned a string of endorsements from local officials and advocacy organizations and maintained a fundraising lead throughout his time in the race.
He released a statement Tuesday on the win, promising to deliver for voters if elected in November.
“I am honored to accept the Democratic nomination to represent HD 89 in the Florida House of Representatives,” Bonfiglio said.
“Our team worked hard to secure this victory and we will continue to do so throughout the general election. In the State House, I pledge to deliver substantive results and will fight to make health care more affordable, combat climate change and sea-level rise, and fully fund our public schools.”
Rossi, a former teacher and real estate agent from Boca Raton, earned a handful of local endorsements as well. But Bonfiglio also received the endorsement of the Sun Sentinel editorial board.
On the Republican side, the contenders mostly dueled over the issue of who supported President Donald Trump the most. Spritz faced blowback from some Palm Beach Republicans after a quote resurfaced that showed Spritz essentially declaring himself a “Never Trumper” back in 2016.
But Spritz pointed the finger back at Caruso, highlighting a $1,000 donation Caruso received from James Herb of the Herb Law Firm. Herb filed a lawsuit seeking to declare President Trump “incompetent.”
HD 89 runs up the coast of Palm Beach County. The winner of the Nov. 6 general election will replace outgoing GOP state Rep. Bill Hager, who is term-limited.
