Cammack, Hawk, Wheeler win primary battles

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Gainesville, cruised to victory in a Tuesday primary and will face off with Democratic challenger Danielle Hawk in November’s general election.  

Cammack led Republican challenger Justin Waters with 85% of the vote.  

Cammack, one of the youngest members of Congress, is seeking a second term after she replaced Republican Rep. Ted Yoho in 2021.  

Cammack was set to address supporters at Granville Plantation in Newberry Tuesday night, but her staff reported that she came down with a fever and had to send a video greeting instead.  

“I’m honored to be the Republican nominee for Florida’s Third Congressional District as we march toward November 8,” Cammack tweeted. “Thank you to all of the voters, dedicated volunteers, supporters, sign waivers, and friends who have supported our campaign from day one!”

In the Democratic primary, Hawk led Tom Wells by a 2-to-1 margin with 95% of precincts reporting, leading the Associated Press to call the race early in the evening.  

In the lone primary race for the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), incumbent Marihelen Wheeler easily defeated fellow Democrat Charlie Jackson, even though Jackson outraised Wheeler $18,210 to $13,110.  

“I am so grateful for all of you for going out to vote, even though we did this very quietly,” Wheeler said to supporters gathered at Cypress & Grove Brewing Company. “Thank you so much for your support. I’m going to look for it big time in November.”  

In the Florida House District 22 race, incumbent Rep. Chuck Clemons coasted past challenger Ty Appiah for the Republican nod, capturing 71% of the vote.    

His Democratic opponent will be Brandon Peters, who edged Olyesha McGruder, 52% to 48%.   

In the race for circuit court judge in the Eighth Judicial Circuit Group 12, Sean Brewer won a plurality of votes in a four-way, non-partisan battle. Brewer took 37.5% of the vote, leading AuBroncee Martin (25.5%), Nathan Skop (17%) and Dan Weisman (20%), which means Martin and Brewer will head to a runoff.  

In other statewide races, Rep. Val Demings handily won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate after she garnered 83% of the vote. Demings will face Republican incumbent Marco Rubio in November.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was unopposed in the Republican primary. In November he will face former governor and current U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, who easily defeated Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.

—Megan V. Winslow contributed to this report.