Ex-Senate President Haridopolos, attorney Kennedy win congressional primaries, face off next
The field is set for the congressional general election in Florida's 8th District.
Former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos won the Republican primary and attorney Sandy Kennedy won the Democratic primary on Tuesday — both by large margins. They will square off in the Nov. 5 general election.
House District 8 includes all of Brevard and Indian River counties, plus part of eastern Orange County.
The seat currently is held by Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, who is not seeking reelection for a ninth term in Congress.
The position has a two-year term, and an annual salary of $174,000.
Republican primary
Haridopolos easily won a three-candidate Republican primary.
Haridopolos had 72.12% of the total of the vote.
Political newcomer John Hearton, the chairman of the board of GeoWireless, a wireless infrastructure and cybersecurity company, had 21.74%.
The third candidate in the race was Joe Babits, a corporate attorney who lives in Indian River Shores, near Vero Beach. Babits withdrew from the race earlier this month and endorsed Hearton. But ballots already were printed with Babits name, and 18,000 early votes already had been cast when Babits pulled out. Babits received 6.14% of the vote.
"I am so honored to earn the nomination, and I'm glad voters rewarded a positive, issues-oriented campaign," Haridopolos said. "The results speak for themselves."
Haridopolos said he now is looking ahead to the general election campaign against Kennedy, the Democratic primary winner.
"We still have a lot of work to do to win in November," Haridopolos said.
Haridopolos, a resident of Indian Harbour Beach, is the most well-known of the three Republican candidates, having represented Brevard County in both the Florida House and Florida Senate, including two years as Senate president. Haridopolos had the most money available to run his campaign. He also had the most major endorsements — including from former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida's two U.S. senators, U.S. House Republican leadership and Posey.
After leaving office in 2012, Haridopolos has owned and operated MJH Consulting, a business and political consulting company. He says, if elected, he will sell that business.
Haridopolos entered the race in April on the final day of candidate qualifying — on the same day Posey announced he was not seeking reelection, and would be endorsing Haridopolos.
During the campaign, Hearton, a resident of Satellite Beach, has been critical of Haridopolos' background and his donors.
Democratic primary
Kennedy defeated West Melbourne City Council member Daniel McDow, by a margin of 60.70% to 39.30%.
"I'm just very thankful to everyone who supported me and voted for me," Kennedy said after the results came in Tuesday night, adding that she appreciates being given the opportunity to run in the general election.
Kennedy also congratulated the Republican primary winner, Haridopolos, who she will face in the Nov. 5 general election.
Kennedy anticipated "a lot of hard work coming" in the campaign against Haridopolos, and hoped that it will translate into victory and "a lot of hard work in Congress."
During her campaign Kennedy cited her nearly three decades of legal experience, including her knowledge of federal laws, as among the reasons she felt she was the best choice in this election. Her area of specialty is construction law. She lives in unincorporated Brevard, just north of Cocoa city limits.
McDow, a retired health-care executive, was elected to the West Melbourne City Council in 2020. He became the first openly gay elected official in Brevard County.
McDow is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, so he was not in Brevard County for Tuesday's election.
Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at [email protected], on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54
Brevard County Election Results 2024
Republican primary results
Haridopolos: 61,679 (72.12%)
Hearton: 18,593 (21.74%)
Babits: 5,248 (6.14%)
Democratic primary Results
Kennedy: 24,683 (60.70%)
McDow: 15,983 (39.30%)
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Election results 2024: Haridopolos, Kennedy win congressional primaries
