Debbie Mayfield Disqualified from Florida Senate Special Election Amid Term Limits Controversy

Palm Bay, Fla. – Former Florida Sen. Debbie Mayfield has been disqualified from running in the special election for Senate District 19 after the Florida Department of State ruled that her candidacy violated the state’s term limits law.

Mayfield, a longtime Republican legislator, previously held the Senate seat until November 2024, when she was forced out due to term limits. She subsequently won election to the Florida House of Representatives in District 32 but resigned to pursue her former Senate seat following Sen. Randy Fine’s departure to run for Congress. However, state officials determined that her bid to return to the Senate violated constitutional restrictions on consecutive service.

The ruling has sparked political tension, with Mayfield claiming the decision was politically motivated. In a statement, she accused Gov. Ron DeSantis of “weaponizing” the Department of State in retaliation for her endorsement of former President Donald Trump over DeSantis in the 2024 Republican primary.

https://x.com/debbie_mayfield/status/1887142453758586957 

The Florida Division of Elections has cited the state’s constitutional term limits as the reason for Mayfield’s removal from the ballot. According to the Florida Constitution, a candidate cannot run for the same office if they have already served (or would have served, barring resignation) for eight consecutive years. While some Republican strategists argue that a break in service should reset the term limit clock, the state has taken a stricter interpretation of the rule.

Mayfield has indicated that she may challenge the ruling in court, though as of now, no official lawsuit has been filed.

Republican Candidates Battle for Senate District 19

With Mayfield out of the race, the Republican primary for Senate District 19 features three candidates:

• Dr. Marcie Adkins of Grant-Valkaria, a retired economist who previously ran against Fine in a 2020 Republican primary for the Florida House.
• Mark Lightner III of Suntree, a business graduate and sales representative making his first run for office.
• Tim Thomas of Melbourne, a former city councilman with eight years of experience in local government.

Palm Bay Live has reached out to all candidates in both the Senate District 19 and House District 32 races for comment. While some have responded, not all candidates have provided statements at this time. This article will be updated as more responses are received.

Dr. Marcie Adkins, a retired economist from Grant-Valkaria, filed to replace Mayfield in the Senate race, citing term limits as a core reason for her candidacy. Adkins, who has lived in Brevard County since 1967, told Palm Bay Live that she firmly believes in the importance of upholding term limits as voters intended.

“The voters in 1992 overwhelmingly supported term limits, and the law should reflect that,” Adkins told Palm Bay Live. “When they passed that constitutional amendment, it was crystal clear—eight years, and you’re out, just like the President and Governor.”

Beyond her focus on term limits, Adkins has built her campaign on a platform of economic policy, environmental protections, higher education, and mental health advocacy. She has stated that addressing the challenges facing small businesses and homeowners, including skyrocketing insurance rates, is one of her top priorities.

“I am sensitive to the concerns of all small business owners and Florida homeowners,” Adkins said. “We need to take real steps to address rising insurance rates and make homeownership more affordable.”

She also emphasized the need for increased mental health support in Florida, highlighting the personal impact the issue has had on her life.

“I’ve had close people in my life struggle with mental health, and it’s an issue that affects every community,” Adkins said. “We need more resources, better access to care, and a shift in how we talk about mental health in our state.”

Despite her strong conservative credentials, Adkins has also emphasized the importance of bipartisanship. She told Palm Bay Live that she admires past Florida legislators who maintained open-door policies regardless of political affiliation and that she aims to bring a similar approach to the Senate.

“I don’t like this mentality of ‘our side versus their side.’ It’s not productive,” Adkins said. “I believe in being gracious and working with people—even those I don’t always agree with. That’s what leadership should be about.”

She recalled her admiration for former Florida Sen. Patsy Kurth, who served Brevard in the 1990s. “Patsy was someone who always had time for people, no matter their political views. That’s how I want to be—I want to sit down, have conversations, and find solutions that actually help Floridians.”

Vance Ahrens: A Progressive Alternative

Democratic candidate Vance Ahrens, who secured his party’s nomination unopposed, also spoke with Palm Bay Live, positioning himself as a strong alternative to the Republican candidates in the race.

“I initially decided to run for the 2024 race because people deserve representation, and I was appalled by the lack of a Democrat to challenge Debbie Mayfield in her last term,” Ahrens said. “After running against Randy Fine only to see him abandon his promise of ‘fighting for Brevard’ in a move for more power, my focus continues to be on representing my neighbors, friends, and fellow Space Coast residents.”

Ahrens outlined his key priorities, which include improving the local economy, addressing storm damage to lower insurance rates, continuing cleanup efforts for the Indian River Lagoon, and advocating for reproductive rights.

“Like most Floridians, I believe that everyone should be able to make their own medical decisions with their doctors, not politicians,” Ahrens said.

House District 32 Special Election

The vacancy left by Mayfield’s resignation has also triggered a special election for House District 32, which covers Central and South Brevard. Several candidates have entered the race, including:

• Dr. Terry Cronin (R) – A physician and business owner with strong financial backing, having raised over $274,000. Cronin has positioned himself as a pro-Trump conservative with a focus on healthcare reform, property insurance, and economic growth.
• Brian Hodgers (R) – Businessman and former candidate with deep connections in the Republican Party.
• Bob White (R) – Conservative activist and chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida.
• Juan Hinojosa (D) – The sole Democrat in the race, focused on expanding healthcare access and environmental protections.

A special primary election for House District 32 is set for April 1, with the general election on June 10.

Uncertainty Lingers

The controversy surrounding Mayfield’s disqualification adds further unpredictability to an already complex special election process. Randy Fine’s resignation triggered the need for both the Senate District 19 and House District 32 special elections, which will now take place concurrently. It remains to be seen whether Mayfield will move forward with a legal challenge to the state’s decision, which could further complicate the race.

For now, the Republican primary race for Senate District 19 is set, and voters will decide on April 1 who will advance to the June general election. Mayfield, meanwhile, faces a decision on whether to continue fighting her disqualification or pivot to a different political opportunity.