Randy Fine Wins Congressional Seat, GOP Sweeps Brevard’s Special Elections
Palm Bay, Fla. – Republican State Sen. Randy Fine secured a high-stakes victory Tuesday night in Florida’s 6th Congressional District, defeating Democrat Josh Weil in a closely watched special election that helps Republicans widen their narrow House majority.
Fine, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, will replace former Congressman Mike Waltz, who vacated the seat to become Trump’s National Security Advisor. Despite being heavily outspent by his opponent—Weil raised nearly $10 million to Fine’s under $1 million—outside GOP-aligned groups invested late in the race, spending roughly $1 million on last-minute ads that helped propel Fine to victory.
The race marked the closest contest the district has seen since 2018, though it remains a Republican stronghold. Trump carried the district by 30 points in 2024, and Waltz consistently won with over 60% of the vote.
Fine’s win not only maintains GOP control of the seat but also expands the party’s slim five-vote majority in the U.S. House by one additional seat.
In a post-election poll conducted by Palm Bay Live, just 19% of respondents said they were happy with the outcome of the election, while 34% said they were not. The remaining participants either chose not to answer or selected “other.”
Hodgers Edges Out GOP Rivals in House District 32
In the Republican primary for Florida House District 32, Brian Hodgers narrowly topped opponents Bob White and Dr. Terry Cronin in a three-way race. With all 58 precincts reporting, Hodgers led with 5,640 votes (35.02%), followed closely by White with 5,328 (33.08%) and Cronin with 5,138 (31.9%).
The seat was vacated when Rep. Debbie Mayfield resigned to run for Senate District 19, a seat she previously held before term limits. Hodgers, a real estate broker and insurance agent from Viera, emphasized insurance reform and lower property taxes during the campaign. He will face Democrat Juan Hinojosa in the June 10 general election.
Mayfield Poised to Return to Florida Senate
In the GOP primary for Senate District 19, former State Sen. Debbie Mayfield won decisively, earning 60.81% of the vote. Her three opponents, Mark Lightner III (16.11%), Tim Thomas (13.34%), and Marcie Adkins (9.74%), trailed significantly.
Mayfield previously served in the Senate from 2016 to 2024 and returned to the Florida House after reaching the Senate’s term limit. A Florida Supreme Court ruling later clarified that her brief absence made her eligible to seek her former seat again. She now moves on to face Democrat Vance Ahrens in June.
Mayfield’s campaign raised and spent more than all three opponents combined, much of it coming from Tallahassee-based political committees. With over 16 years of experience in the Legislature and strong name recognition, Mayfield was widely expected to win.
What’s Next
With Tuesday’s results, the Brevard GOP held onto all contested seats in a major night of legislative reshuffling. The outcomes set up high-profile general election contests in both House District 32 and Senate District 19 on June 10, where insurance, healthcare, and local infrastructure remain top issues for voters.
Key Dates for Voters:
- Early Voting (General Election): May 31 – June 7
- Election Day: June 10
- More Info: VoteBrevard.gov or call (321) 290-VOTE
Palm Bay Live will continue to provide election coverage as we move toward the June 10 general election.
