In the Florida State Legislature, there are seven former incumbents seeking seats once more in 2014. Two former state senators, Ellyn Bogdanoff (R) and Gary Siplin (D), are seeking a return. Bogdanoff was ousted in 2012 after just 2 years in the Senate when redistricting drew her against fellow incumbent Maria Sachs (D). Siplin was term-limited in 2012 and could not run for re-election. Three of the five attempting a comeback in the house, Fred Costello (R), Shawn Harrison (R) and Steven Perman (D), lost re-election bids in 2012 following their first term. Brad Drake (R) was a two-term state representative but chose not to run for re-election in 2012. Evan Jenne (D) filed to run in 2012 but did not appear on the primary election ballot.

Majority control

Heading into the November 4 election, the Republican Party holds a majority in both state legislative chambers. Florida's office of Governor is held by Rick Scott (R), making the state one of 23 with a Republican state government trifecta.

The difference in partisan composition between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate is 30 seats, or 25 percent of the seats up for election in 2014. There are five districts where two major party candidates will appear on the general election ballot.[1]

The difference in partisan composition between Democrats and Republicans in the House is twelve seats, or 20.0 percent of the seats up for election in 2014. There are 53 districts where two major party candidates will appear on the general election ballot.[2]

Senate

Candidates unopposed by a major party

In 15 of the 20 districts up for election in 2014, there is only one major party candidate running for election. A total of two Democrats and 13 Republicans are guaranteed election in November barring unforeseen circumstances.

Two major party candidates will face off in the general election in five of the 20 districts up for election. Just one of these seats, District 34, held mildly competitive elections in 2012.

District 34: Incumbent Maria Sachs (D) will face the winner of the Republican primary. Sachs won in 2012 by a margin of victory of 6 percent.

Primary challenges

A total of seven incumbents will face primary competition on August 26. Another 13 incumbents will advance past the primary without opposition. The state senators facing primary competition are:

House

Candidates unopposed by a major party

In 67 (55.8%) of the 120 seats up for election, there is only one major party candidate running for election. A total of 27 Democrats and 40 Republicans are guaranteed election in November barring unforeseen circumstances.

Two major party candidates will face off in the general election in 53 of the 120 districts up for election. Twelve of those seats held competitive elections in 2012 with a margin of victory ranging from 0 to 5 percent. Eight other elections were mildly competitive, with a margin of victory of 5 to 10 percent. Two seats that held competitive elections in 2012 have only one major party candidate in 2014. Those districts are:

Competitive

District 29: Incumbent Mike Clelland (D) will face Scott Plakon (R) in the general election. Clelland won by a margin of victory of 0.2 percent in 2012.

District 41: Incumbent John Wood (R) will face Celestyne Williams (D) in the general election. Wood won by a margin of victory of 3 percent in 2012.

District 42: Incumbent Mike LaRosa (R) will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election. LaRosa won by a margin of victory of 0.8 percent in 2012.

District 47: Incumbent Linda Stewart (D) will face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election. Stewart won by a margin of victory of 5 percent in 2012.

District 90: Incumbent Lori Berman (D) is unopposed in both the Democratic primary and the general election. Berman won by a margin of victory of 4 percent in 2012.

District 120: Incumbent Holly Merrill Raschein (R) is unopposed in both the Republican primary and the general election. Raschein won by a margin of victory of 5 percent in 2012.

Primary challenges

A total of 15 incumbents will face primary competition on August 26. Seventeen incumbents are not seeking re-election in 2014 and another 88 incumbents will advance past the primary without opposition. The state representatives facing primary competition include: