Senate likely to see little change in November

By News Service of Florida

With incumbents dominating their opponents in Tuesday's primaries, the Florida Senate likely will see little turnover in the November elections. Half of the 40 Senate seats were up for election this year. Eight incumbents were unopposed, and Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, assured herself of another term by winning a primary in Southwest Florida's District 30. Also, three incumbents, Rockledge Republican Thad Altman, Brandon Republican Tom Lee and Miami Gardens Democrat Oscar Braynon, are almost guaranteed of winning another term because they face write-in candidates in November. Of the remaining eight seats, only five incumbents --- St. Augustine Republican John Thrasher, St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, Stuart Republican Joe Negron, Orlando Democrat Geraldine Thompson and Delray Beach Democrat Maria Sachs --- have major-party opposition. Sachs is expected to face the toughest battle as she tries to fend off a challenge from former Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, in Southeast Florida's Senate District 34. Meanwhile, Altamonte Springs Republican David Simmons and Orlando Democrat Darren Soto will face opponents without party affiliation, while Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala will be challenged by a Libertarian.