Florida Ballots: Five House Districts Head to the Polls
Voters in North Central Florida decide representatives for Districts 10, 20, 22, 23, and 27, with incumbents facing challenges in three races.
By Madison Lewis ·
Five state House districts in North Central Florida went to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The contests span multiple counties and include two open seats and three races where incumbents face challengers. Voters in these regions will determine who represents their districts in Tallahassee for the next two years.
In District 10, Republican Marshall Rawson runs against Democrat Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson. The district includes Baker, Bradford, Columbia, and Union counties, plus part of Alachua County. Incumbent Chuck Brannan was term-limited and could not seek re-election. Both candidates cited data center development, water protection, and agricultural land preservation as key issues. Rawson said he faced scrutiny from the left over his ties to the League of the South and his 2017 attendance at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Malwitz-Jipson argued that Florida needs to succeed, not secede.
District 22 covers Gilchrist and Levy counties, along with a portion of Alachua County. Republican incumbent Chad Johnson seeks another term against Democrat Amy Trask. At Santa Fe College, students told reporters that affordability is a major concern. Arion Coney, a college student, noted that he pays $800 per month for rent. He cited gas prices at $4 per gallon, car repairs, and grocery costs as factors that make living expenses difficult to manage.
Three other districts are on the ballot. In District 20, which covers Putnam County and northwestern Marion County, Democrat Lee Butler challenges Republican incumbent Judson Sapp. In District 23, which represents southwestern Marion County, Republican J.J. Grow runs for a second term against Democrat Mark Leland Baker. In District 27, which includes southeastern Marion County, Democrat Andy Ferrari runs against Republican incumbent Richard Gentry.
Local voters in Lake City told reporters they want to see elected leaders hold themselves accountable. Mary and Gordon Smith, who voted in the area, said current leaders need to strengthen their performance and accept responsibility for their actions. They argued that voters must enforce accountability because elected officials do not always do so themselves.
The races conclude with the counting of ballots in these five districts. The results will determine the composition of the state House for the upcoming legislative session.
