Wasserman Schultz, Deutch, Frankel and Hastings all win new terms in Congress

Incumbent Congressional Democrats Ted Deutch of Boca Raton, Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach, Alcee Hastings of Miramar and Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, who represent districts in Broward and Palm Beach counties, had little trouble winning new terms Tuesday to return to the House of Representatives.

None of their Republican opponents had much experience with electoral politics.

The stakes were high for control of the 27-member Florida Congressional delegation, where Republicans held a 14-13 edge over Democrats going into Tuesday’s voting.

The most closely contested South Florida races involved incumbents Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Donna Shalala, both Democrats, who faced tough challenges in Miami-Dade County from Republicans who branded them as socialists and as too soft on the authoritarian regimes of Cuba and Venezuela.

And in a district covering northern Palm Beach County and parts of the Treasure Coast, Republican Brian Mast overcame a tough race to win a new term against Democratic challenger Pam Keith. Both are military veterans.

Here are results from some key Florida congressional districts:

DISTRICT 18

WINNER: Brian Mast.

Republican incumbent Brian Mast was already in a tough race with Democrat Pam Keith when news emerged he joked about rape and referenced sex with 15-year-old girls in years-old Facebook comments to a friend. The disabled U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan apologized. But Keith, a U.S. Navy veteran and former JAG officer was unrelenting in her criticism as the two vied for the one of the most competitive swing districts in the region..

DISTRICT 20

WINNER: Alcee Hastings.

Alcee Hastings, the most senior member of Florida’s delegation, has served in Congress since 1993. His record reflected priorities such as universal access to health care and racial justice in criminal statutes. For opponent Greg Musselwhite of Fort Pierce, a professional welder and pipe-fitter, it was his first-time run for any office.

DISTRICT 21

WINNER: Lois Frankel

Four-term incumbent Democrat Lois Frankel faced Laura Loomer, a far-right political activist who was banned from social media sites over her commentaries and conspiracy theories. Frankel is chairwoman of the Women’s Democratic Caucus and a member of the House Appropriations Committee. She advocates gun safety and measures against climate change. President Donald Trump is registered to vote in the district.

DISTRICT 22

WINNER: Ted Deutch

Democrat Ted Deutch is a five-term incumbent who spent much of the year advocating for relief for the unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a member of the ethics and judiciary committees. His opponent, Jame Pruden, is a lawyer and software executive who opposes the Affordable Care Act.

DISTRICT 23

WINNER: Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a nationally prominent Democratic congresswoman who helped enact the Affordable Care Act, promotes gun control and is in reach of becoming chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Her opponent was Carla Spalding, a registered nurse who opposes the ACA. An immigrant from the Caribbean, she never served in a lesser office.

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