Kathmandu— Voters in Florida will head to the polls on Tuesday to select party nominees for key state and federal elections, most notably marking the first election utilizing newly redrawn congressional districts. The state legislature, heavily influenced by Republicans, reshaped the map this year with the intention of bolstering right-wing candidates as part of a broader effort under former President Donald Trump to maintain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections. Despite an increasing conservative trend within the state, Democrats are attempting to gain ground, and several key races will reveal the extent of their potential for success.

Gubernatorial Race Heats Up

A competitive field of Republicans is vying to succeed term-limited Governor Ron DeSantis. Congressman Byron Donalds currently leads in polling and has received Trump’s endorsement, potentially making him Florida's first Black governor if elected this November. His primary challengers include Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, former State House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback, who faces accusations of racist views. Notably, DeSantis has not endorsed any candidate to succeed him, having served as a key figure in the state’s shift towards conservatism over the last decade.

Congressional Battles Emerge

Several congressional races are drawing significant attention. Representative Randy Fine, known for his staunchly pro-Israel stance and controversial rhetoric, faces challenges including internet personality Daniel Bilzerian, who has made unambiguously antisemitic comments – prompting condemnation from across the political spectrum. Additionally, a special election to fill the remaining years of Marco Rubio’s Senate term will see former Attorney General Ashley Moody as the frontrunner, challenged by US Army veteran Alexander Vindman, whose whistleblower complaint triggered Trump's first impeachment.

District Realignment Fuels Competition

The redrawing of congressional districts has created competitive races and sparked debate. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz faces a challenge in South Florida’s new 20th district, where Black Democrats comprise a significant portion of the electorate and some local leaders advocate for representation by a Black politician. Similarly, Congressman Jared Moskowitz, one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress, is facing a strong primary challenge from democratic socialist Oliver Larkin, with policy towards Israel as a key point of contention. Finally, embattled Republican Congressman Cory Mills, under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, hopes to overcome controversy with an endorsement from Trump.

Shifting Demographics and Party Dynamics

Florida’s political landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years. While once considered a swing state, DeSantis' overwhelming 2022 re-election victory – including gains in Miami-Dade County – signaled a clear shift towards the right. This rise in Republican dominance has left Democrats struggling to win statewide races, with party chair Nikki Fried acknowledging a decline in support but expressing hope for a reversal this November. Former Congressman David Jolly is expected to win the Democratic nomination for governor, potentially attracting more moderate voters as a former Republican-turned-independent.

Polls Indicate Tight Races

Recent polling suggests several races will be closely contested. A University of North Florida poll showed Moody with a stable 50 percent support in one-on-one Senate matchups, while Vindman and Nixon garnered 40 and 42 percent respectively. In the Moskowitz-Larkin race, Moskowitz held a slim two-point lead. These tight margins highlight the potential for upsets and underscore the competitive nature of Florida’s primary elections.

Tuesday's primaries will provide crucial insights into the direction of Florida politics and set the stage for the November general elections, where control of Congress and key state offices are at stake.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.