Democratic primary for District 20 seat goes to recount; Mariner wins Republican vote

MIRAMAR, Fla. – The race for the congressional seat belonging to Florida’s District 20 is still waiting to find out its two candidates.

Voters in Broward and Palm Beach counties cast their ballots for who they hoped would be their Democrat and Republican winners.

Out of the 11 Democrats on the ballot, it ended up as a very tight race between Broward County Commissioner and former mayor Dale Holness and healthcare executive Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

Cherfilus-McCormick held a 31-vote lead when all polls were closed.

“I’m overwhelmed and I think this is just a testament of what the district was looking for, which was a fresh face, a fresh voice,” she said.

But Holness had a razor-thin lead by early Wednesday. Regardless, the race will go to a recount due to the margin of victory being so slim.

Voter turnout was extremely low, only 16 percent, so every vote weighs heavily in this important congressional race.

Voters selected Jason Mariner as their Republican candidate. He won with 58 percent of the vote.

The eventual winner of the Democratic primary will face Mariner in a special election in January to replace the seat vacated by the late Democratic U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings.