Florida State Sen. Randy Fine (R) secured a hard-fought victory Tuesday in the special election for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, defeating Democrat Josh Weil in a surprisingly competitive race that drew national attention.
The race was officially called by Decision Desk HQ, handing Republicans a much-needed win in a deep-red district that had shown unexpected signs of vulnerability in the days leading up to Election Day.
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Fine’s win will come as a relief for the GOP, which grew increasingly anxious after a string of warning signs — including Weil’s massive fundraising advantage, polling leads, and increased Democratic enthusiasm in a district previously considered safely Republican.
The 6th District, which runs from South Daytona to St. Augustine, has long been a Republican stronghold. Former President Donald Trump, former Rep. Michael Waltz, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis all carried the district by over 30 points in previous elections.
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Still, Weil’s performance is sure to shock many, as the Democrat raised nearly $10 million — more than 10 times Fine’s haul of just under $1 million.
The spending gap translated into a flurry of ads and organizing efforts on the ground, with Weil outspending Fine $8.2 million to $895,000.
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