Maxwell Frost, 25-year-old activist, likely headed to Congress after primary win

Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a 25-year-old gun control activist, prevailed in a crowded Democratic congressional primary on Tuesday, setting himself up to become one of the first Gen Z members of the U.S. House.

Frost beat out more established politicians, including state Sen. Randolph Bracy and former U.S. Reps. Alan Grayson and Corrine Brown.

Frost, who is just old enough to serve in Congress, will be heavily favored to win in November in a solid Democratic district that includes most of Orlando, Maitland and Winter Park. He will face off against Republican challenger Calvin Wimbish, a retired Army Green Beret, and two independent candidates.

Another political newcomer, Cory Mills, won the 7th Congressional District Republican primary, soundly beating second-place finisher state Rep. Anthony Sabatini and six other GOP contenders.

Mills will be the favorite in a district redrawn to be more friendly to Republicans that includes Seminole County and parts of Volusia County.

Mills, an Army veteran, operates a business that supplies riot gear to police. He joked in a campaign ad that he would tear gas the “liberal media” and help them “shed some real tears.” He said he doesn’t think President Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 presidential election, despite no evidence of widespread voter fraud.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy decided not to run for reelection in District 7. Karen Green, a political strategist and vice chair of the Florida Democratic Party, won the Democratic primary and will square off against Mills.

GOP U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster survived a primary challenge from far-right activist Laura Loomer in the District 11 Republican primary. Webster’s single-digit margin was closer than many political pundits expected.

Webster is expected to hold the seat that stretches from Winter Garden to The Villages. He will face Democratic candidate Shante Munns and independent Kevin Porter.

Republican Scotty Moore beat out three GOP contenders in District 9 to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto. That district includes Kissimmee, St. Cloud and parts of southern Orange County. It is viewed as solidly Democratic.

During the campaign, Central Florida GOP congressional candidates blamed Biden for inflation, vowed to boost security at U.S.-Mexico border and promised protect gun rights.

The overwhelming majority of Republican candidates denied that Biden “legitimately” won the election.

Democrats campaigned on expanding health coverage, addressing skyrocketing rents and imposing gun control measures in response to mass shootings.

Frost’s political experience includes working for the ACLU and serving as an organizing director for March for Our Lives, an advocacy group formed after the Parkland school shooting.

As of late, he’s been driving his for Uber to make ends meet while he campaigns for Congress.

Frost is expected to succeed Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Demings, who stepped down to challenge U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio.

sswisher@orlandosentinel.com

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