Rick Scott Seeks Re-election in Florida Primaries

As Florida gears up for its primary elections on Tuesday, incumbent Senator Scott is heavily favored against challengers John Columbus, a former Disney performer, and attorney Keith Gross, who has shifted his political allegiance to support Donald Trump. Gross has invested significantly in his campaign, contributing $2.4 million, but reported only $13,000 in available funds as of late July. Meanwhile, Congressman Matt Gaetz is vying for a fifth term in the 1st Congressional District, facing competition from former Navy pilot Aaron Dimmock, who is backed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's political action committee. Voters in Florida will also decide on 30 contested House primaries, alongside five contested state Senate primaries for both major parties. With half of the state’s 40 Senate seats and all 120 House seats up for grabs, the stakes are high. Polls will close at varying times across the state, with the last closing at 8 p.m. EDT. The Associated Press will monitor the results and declare winners in key races, including those for U.S. Senate and House, as well as state attorney and public defender positions. Participation in the primaries is limited to registered party members, with Democrats barred from voting in Republican contests and vice versa. As of Wednesday, Florida had approximately 13.6 million registered voters, with early voting showing a notable turnout. By Friday, over 1.6 million ballots had been cast, indicating a strong engagement from both parties ahead of the primaries.