Hodgers wins tight Florida House District 32 GOP primary
Brian Hodgers topped challengers Bob White and Terry Cronin in Tuesday's Florida House District 32 GOP primary.
With all 58 precincts reporting, Hodgers had 5,640 votes (35.02%), to White's 5,328 (33.08%) and Cronin's 5,138 (31.9%).
The winner will face Democrat challenger Juan Hinojosa on June 10.
Here are the candidates in a nutshell:
Cronin, 60, of Brevard County, a dermatologist, is running on improving health care, property insurance and infrastructure.
Hodgers, 52, of Viera, a real estate broker and insurance agent from Viera, aims to use his expertise in insurance to lower rates for Floridians. He also wants to cap and roll back property taxes, and ease regulatory burdens on small businesses.
White, 68, a retired developer and custom home builder, wants to improve border security; defend Second Amendment and other civil rights; guard the Indian River Lagoon from overdevelopment; and prohibit political committees from making contributions to each other.
Combined, the three campaigns in the race have spent almost $617,000.
Gov. Ron DeSantis scheduled a special election to fill the seat in Central Brevard County that became vacant with the resignation of incumbent Republican Debbie Mayfield of Indialantic, who beat Hinojosa for the seat in November.
Mayfield resigned her House to seat to run for the Senate District 19 seat had held until November, when she was forced out by term limits. Fellow Republican Randy Fine won Mayfield's old Senate seat, but, in turn, resigned to pursue a congressional opening in a district north of Daytona Beach.
Mayfield's brief break in service makes her eligible to run again, according to the Florida Supreme Court.
Waymer covers the environment. Reach him at (321) 261-5903 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Follow him on X at @JWayEnviro.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Hodgers wins Florida House District 32 GOP primary
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Military parade barrels through DC as ‘No Kings' protesters across US decry Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — The grand military parade that President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barreled down Constitution Avenue on Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, playing out against a counterpoint of protests around the country by those who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king. The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and clouds shrouded the Washington Monument. The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, was one Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until the parade was added to an event recognizing the Army's 250th anniversary. Up above, the Army's Golden Knights parachute team descended from overcast skies toward the reviewing stand. The team had been scheduled to jump at the end of the parade, but appeared in the drizzly skies above the National Mall far earlier than planned. At times, Trump stood and saluted as troops marched past the reviewing stand. But attendance appeared to fall far short of early predictions that as many as 200,000 people would attend the festival and parade. There were large gaps between viewers near the Washington Monument on a day when steamy weather and the threat of thunderstorms could have dampened turnout. Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to sound off against the Republican president. They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the U.S. capital. Trump had brushed off the possibility of weather or protest disruptions. In a social media post Saturday morning, he said the 'great military parade' would be on 'rain or shine.' The protests, he said earlier, 'will be met with very big force.' The daylong display of America's Army came as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the U.S. Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments. As armored vehicles rolled down the street in front of the president, on the other side of the country, the Marines who Trump deployed to Los Angeles appeared at a demonstration for the first time, standing guard outside a federal building. Dozens of Marines stood shoulder to shoulder in full combat gear beside the National Guard, Homeland Security officers and other law enforcement. Hundreds of protesters facing them jeered in English and Spanish, telling the troops to go home. A previously calm demonstration in downtown Los Angeles turned chaotic when police on horseback charged at the crowd, striking some with rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building and fired tear gas and crowd control projectiles. In Washington, hundreds protesting Trump carried signs that included 'Where's the due process?' and 'No to Trump's fascist military parade' as they marched toward the White House. A larger-than-life puppet of Trump was wheeled through the crowd, a caricature of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet. Other protesters waved pride flags and hoisted signs, some with pointed messages such as 'I prefer crushed ICE,' referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Other messages included 'The invasion was HERE Jan. 6th, NOT in L.A.' and 'Flip me off if you're a FASCIST.' 'No Kings' rallies unfolded in hundreds of cities , designed to counter what organizers said were Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. Organizers said they picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. Meanwhile, on the National Mall, a display of armored vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment was set up to commemorate the Army's birthday. Vendors outside the Army festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Trump-themed merchandise. Larry Stallard, a retired American Airlines pilot, said he traveled to Washington from Kansas City for the weekend 'to see the military and see Trump.' Stallard, who voted for Trump, said it was 'hard to believe' people were upset about the cost of the event when 'they blow that in 10 seconds on things that we don't even need.' Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, but said the parade 'was a little over the top.' Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a 'very bold statement to the world, perhaps.' The parade was added just two months ago to the long-planned celebration of the Army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route. About 6 in 10 Americans said Saturday's parade was 'not a good use' of government money. The vast majority of people, 78%, said they neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research . Kathy Straus traveled from Richmond, Virginia, to attend the parade, carrying a sign criticizing its cost and arguing the money could have been used to feed veterans. 'I thought that it would be more effective to come here than go to a protest with people that think similar to me,' said Straus. The parade wound down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers. A flyover of military aircraft included World War II-era planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, and Army helicopters flew low over the crowd, below the top of the Washington Monument. Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division made an appearance — horses once played a crucial role in warfare, but today they're mostly used in ceremonial events like today's parade. Trump swore in 250 new recruits and returning soldiers into service, with soldiers repeating an oath after him. 'Welcome to the United States Army! And have a great life,' Trump said to them afterward. The night also was to include a concert featuring 'God Bless the U.S.A.' singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks. ____ Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Michelle L. Price, Nathan Ellgren, Lea Skene, Olivia Diaz, Joey Cappelletti, Ashraf Khalil and Tara Copp contributed to this report. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Fetterman: Military parade comprised of ‘the verbest of us'
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said that President Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, is comprised of the 'best of us' and that it should be celebrated regardless of where one might stand on the political spectrum. 'This parade is comprised of our sons, daughters, mothers and fathers—the very best of us,' Fetterman wrote in a Saturday post on social media platform X. 'Regardless of your politics, it's appropriate to celebrate the 250 years of sacrifice, dedication and service.' Fetterman demonstrated rare Democratic support for the parade that is taking place on Trump's 79th birthday. The parade has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over the expected cost of the festivities, projected to be between $25 and $45 million. 'We're a lion, and a lion doesn't have to tell you it's a lion,' Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said on Tuesday. 'I would save the money, but if the president wants to have a parade, he's the president, and I'm not.' Most GOP senators said they would skip the parade. Other Republicans in Congress, like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) and Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), are in attendance at the military parade, the first one to be held in Washington in 34 years. Fetterman has in recent months broken with his caucus on a few other issues, including on immigration and on his stance regarding Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. The Pennsylvania senator was also the only Democrat to introduce the Laken Riley Act and has criticized the Democratic Party over its response to the protest in Los Angeles against federal immigration raids. 'My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement,' Fetterman wrote on Monday. 'I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration—but this is not that.'
Chicago Tribune
2 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Thousands attend No Kings events in Lake County
A former combat soldier and a onetime Republican who got his first job through the late Sen. Robert Dole, R-Kansas, were among more than 8,500 people in Lake County participating in No Kings events protesting the actions of President Donald Trump. Holding a sign that read, 'fought for freedom not for a throne' was U.S. Army veteran John McCullough of Grayslake who said he spent six years in the military, including tours of duty in the first Gulf War and on the Demilitarized Zone separating South and North Korea. 'I watched a dictator from a distance,' McCullough said at a rally in Gurnee, referring to the ruler of North Korea. 'We don't need a king whose father paid for him to be a draft dodger. That's not what my brothers and sisters bled and died for.' John Anderson of Beach Park sat in a wheelchair at the Gurnee rally wearing a shirt with the words 'Go Kemp' referring to former U.S. Rep. Jack Kemp, R-N.Y., who was Dole's running mate in 1992. Anderson said he is no longer a Republican. 'I was a Republican precinct committeeman in three states — Kansas, Minnesota and Illinois,' Anderson said. 'The Republican Party is no longer a party with a platform. They're about one person.' Anderson and McCullough were among more than 8,500 people who participated in No Kings Day rallies Saturday in Lake Country towns Gurnee, Highland Park and Buffalo Grove as they showed their displeasure with the way Trump is governing the country. More than 4,500 people attended the rally in Gurnee, 2,500 in Highland Park and 1,500 in Buffalo Grove, according to organizers at those locations. Along with the three Lake County events, there were nearly 2,000 protests planned across the country Saturday from city blocks to small towns to courthouse steps and community parks. There was also a demonstration in Washington, D.C. where Trump attended a military parade. Orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, organizers said the group picked the 'No Kings' name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. Many of the approximately 4,500 participants in Gurnee—filling two blocks on Grand Avenue and one on the adjoining Hunt Club Road—held signs indicating displeasure with Trump's leadership style. Signs read, 'No kings in America since 1776,' 'Rejecting kings since 1776,' 'Immigrants don't invade, they rebuild what history has broken' and more. There were no planned speakers but chants broke out regularly. Katie Salyer, a Gurnee resident and one of the organizers from Northeast Lake County Indivisible—the Lake County Democratic Party was also a sponsor—was holding a megaphone leading part of the crowd. 'What does democracy look like?' Salyer asked. 'This is what democracy looks like,' the crowd responded several times in a row. Salyer said the chants were a tool to keep the crowd active and orderly. There was also a political purpose. 'It gives the people a voice,' she said. Barb Wigginton of Fox Lake said she was there to make a point about behavior of some of the immigration officers carrying out Trump's deportation policies. Her sign read, 'Melt ICE,' referring the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. 'Everyone should be treated with respect,' she said. 'Do what you have to do, but be kind.' Joan Zahnle was one of the Highland Park rally organizers. She said the crowd consisted of people of all ages from parents with young children to teens and older individuals. There was a dual purpose. The rally was combined with a food drive. 'We have four SUVs loaded with food going to pantries in Waukegan and North Chicago,' she said. Carolyn Pinta, the organizer of the Buffalo Grove event, said it there was a party atmosphere with music and dancing. The first participant arrived 45 minutes before the noon starting time with her 99-year-old mother attending her first political rally. Lake County Republican Chair Keith Brin said in an email Trump is anything but a king. He was fairly elected and is enforcing laws passed by Congress just like Democratic presidents administered them before him, Brin said. 'The President hasn't made up laws like a dictator,' Brin said in the email. 'If the protesters don't like the laws, change the laws. Instead of figuring out why the majority of the country disagrees with them, Democrats protest against an imaginary dictatorship that has been routinely checked by Congress and the courts.'
