Special Elections in Brevard: Contested Races for Florida House District 32 and Senate District 19

Palm Bay, FL – With two special elections set for 2025, Brevard County voters will soon decide who will fill open seats in the Florida House of Representatives District 32 and the Florida Senate District 19. The April 1 primary will narrow down Republican candidates for both races, followed by a June 10 general election. These vacancies come amid legislative reshuffling in Tallahassee, and both races have drawn significant community interest—especially around issues like health care, property insurance, and the ongoing debate about term limits.

In Florida House District 32, three Republicans are vying to replace longtime legislator Debbie Mayfield, who vacated her seat to run for Senate. The candidates include Dr. Terry Cronin, Brian Hodgers, and Bob White. Dr. Cronin is a longtime physician in the region, owning and operating the Cronin Skin Cancer Center with his father and niece. Cronin has served as president of several dermatology associations and has advocated for skin cancer patients in Washington, D.C. A Melbourne resident for most of his life, Cronin says he wants to ensure that “patients aren’t able to see their doctors of choice, and access to a physician has never been more difficult,” adding that as a state representative, he hopes to be “the patient’s voice in Tallahassee regarding healthcare.”

Brian Hodgers is a real estate broker, insurance agent, and Florida native who describes himself as a “lifelong conservative.” He is focused on bringing down insurance rates and property taxes and aims to protect Brevard’s waterways while standing firmly with President Trump’s America First agenda. Bob White, meanwhile, has lived and served in Brevard for 38 years and has led the Republican Liberty Caucus for over 16 years. White’s platform centers on strong border defenses, reducing overdevelopment, and remedying what he calls “the insurance crisis.” He has drawn endorsements from figures such as Congressman Byron Donalds and Gun Owners of America.

Because Florida holds “closed primaries,” only registered Republicans who live in District 32 may vote in the April 1 GOP primary. The winner will go head-to-head with Hinojosa, the lone Democrat in the race, on June 10.

Across the county, residents in Florida Senate District 19 will similarly see a special GOP primary on April 1. Four Republican candidates, Marcie Adkins, Mark Lightner III, Tim Thomas, and Debbie Mayfield, are vying to fill the seat vacated by Senator Randy Fine, who is pursuing a Congressional bid.

The fact that Mayfield served in this same Senate seat from 2016 to 2024 sparked a term-limit debate, culminating in a Florida Supreme Court ruling. Though Mayfield had reached the Senate’s eight-year limit, the Court determined she was eligible to run again because she had taken a gap in service while representing House District 32.

Dr. Marcie Adkins, who previously worked for the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission and holds a Ph.D. in economics, stresses the importance of clarifying Florida’s term-limit laws to prevent repeated “musical chairs” by seasoned politicians.

“I am running because I believe I am the best possible candidate,” Adkins says. She points to having “lived here the longest,” having “the most relevant education,” and possessing “35 years of experience working with economic issues.” She also notes that she has “not ‘termed’ out as Mayfield has.”

Adkins adds that she is connecting with voters through “email, telephone, my website, and in person,” and expresses concerns about the influence of political action committees. She advocates for clarifying Florida’s constitution to strictly limit state senators to eight years of service.

Mark Lightner III, at 24 years old, represents a younger faction within the GOP and believes it is time to “stop this vicious cycle” of career politicians. “Brevard County has had the same handful of career politicians playing a game of musical chairs,” Lightner stated. “It seems the longer a person is in the world of politics, the more corrupt they become. They begin to choose power over the people who elected them.”

Lightner is focusing on gun rights, advocating for open carry and urging a repeal of the 2018 gun regulations that increased the minimum age for firearm purchases. He also wants to encourage more high school graduates to consider vocational trades.

“My generation needs to step up and participate in the world of politics,” Lightner said. “We must fight for our future and the future of our children. My daughter is 1 and I have a son that is due in July. I want to ensure that their future is as bright and prosperous as possible.”

Lightner’s momentum recently grew when he picked up an endorsement from Bill Mick, host of Bill Mick LIVE, a morning radio staple on the Space Coast since 2004. Mick noted he was initially skeptical, saying he “would expect a 24-year-old to not have the maturity or experience to be effective,” but ended up convinced Lightner is “nothing less than an impressive young man who would serve us well in the Florida Senate.” Mick added that Lightner is “mature, grounded in who he is and his faith,” and “well versed on the issues in play.”

Candidates Tim Thomas and Debbie Mayfield are also in the race. Thomas has underscored illegal immigration, veterans’ resources, and strong term limits, while Mayfield has focused on stabilizing insurance rates, housing affordability, and infrastructure improvements. The winner of the April 1 Republican primary will face Democrat Vance Ahrens in the June 10 general election.

Voters in District 32 (Florida House) and District 19 (Florida Senate) are encouraged to take advantage of early voting to avoid potential lines on Election Day. According to the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections:

• Special Primary Election (House & Senate)
  
  
  • Early Voting: March 22 – March 29, 2025
    • Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Primary Election Day: April 1, 2025 (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
• Special General Election (House & Senate)
  
  
  • Early Voting: May 31 – June 7, 2025
    • Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • General Election Day: June 10, 2025 (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

On Election Day, voters must vote in their assigned precinct, but during early voting, they may use any of the designated polling locations in Brevard County. Valid photo identification with a signature, such as a Florida driver’s license or U.S. passport, is required. If voters have no valid photo/signature ID, they can still cast a provisional ballot.

For the most up-to-date information on early voting sites, mail ballot drop-off, and other key deadlines, visit VoteBrevard.gov or call (321) 290-VOTE (8683).

These special elections present opportunities for residents to shape the future of both the Florida Senate and House. Whether your main concerns are property insurance, education, term-limit enforcement, or broader topics like veterans’ services and gun rights, staying informed is crucial. All registered voters residing in Districts 19 or 32 should confirm their registration status, learn about the candidates, and cast a ballot—either during early voting or on Election Day.

Palm Bay Live will continue to offer updates and candidate highlights as we move closer to April 1 and June 10.