Mucarsel-Powell Wins Florida Democratic Senate Primary
- Debbie Mucarsel-Powell emerges as the winner of the Florida Democratic Senate primary.
- Florida Democrats choose Mucarsel-Powell to challenge Senator Rick Scott in the upcoming election.
- The Associated Press projects Mucarsel-Powell as the preferred candidate for the November seat.
Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary, positioning herself to challenge Republican Senator Rick Scott in the upcoming election. The Associated Press projected her win on Tuesday evening, marking a significant step in her political comeback. Mucarsel-Powell, who made history as the first Ecuadorian American in Congress, has received an endorsement from President Biden, who has referred to her as Florida’s "next U.S. senator." Mucarsel-Powell previously held a congressional seat representing the Florida Keys and has a background in the nonprofit sector. In recent polls, she has trailed Scott by mid-single digits, indicating a competitive race ahead. Her primary challengers included Stanley Campbell, who focused his campaign on attacking Scott and expressed confidence in his ability to secure the nomination. Campbell criticized the early labeling of Mucarsel-Powell as the presumptive nominee by many Democrats. Another contender, Rod Joseph, a veteran and community organizer, emphasized his military service and commitment to honesty in his campaign. Joseph, a native of Haiti, aims to prioritize access to quality healthcare and criminal justice reform, framing these issues as essential to promoting equality and opportunity for all Floridians. As the primary results unfold, the stage is set for a closely watched Senate race in Florida.