A Florida state Senate candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump has lost his Republican primary election to a candidate endorsed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
With more than 95 percent of the vote counted on Tuesday night, results showed that Trump-backed David Shoar was defeated by Florida state Representative Tom Leek by the considerable margin of 47 percent to 28 percent, according to The Associated Press.
In addition to DeSantis, Leek was endorsed by many other powerful figures in Republican Florida politics, including U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who also won his primary race on Tuesday.
Former President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Asheville, North Carolina, on August 14. Trump-endorsed Florida state Senate candidate David Shoar lost his Republican primary by a wide margin August 20. Former President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Asheville, North Carolina, on August 14. Trump-endorsed Florida state Senate candidate David Shoar lost his Republican primary by a wide margin August 20. Grant Baldwin
Shoar, formerly the sheriff of St. Johns County, ended the race neck-and-neck with the third-place finisher, former professional wrestler Gerry James, despite being given Trump’s “complete and total” endorsement this month.
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“David Shoar is a tremendous America First Patriot who is running to represent the incredible people of Florida’s 7th State Senate District!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on August 5.
“David Shoar, who is 100% MAGA, and has been with us from the very beginning, has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he added.
Trump’s endorsements have shown mixed results. While many of his endorsees have seen success, a number of high-profile candidates backed by the former president have lost their primaries, including three candidates who lost races during a single night in late June.
Newsweek reached out for comment to Trump’s office via email on Tuesday night.
Daytona Beach NBC affiliate WESH described Trump’s endorsement of Shoar as “really an extension of the feud” between the former president and DeSantis.
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While the Florida governor became the target of Trump’s wrath after challenging him in the GOP presidential primaries, he has since gone on to endorse Trump’s bid to return to the White House.
Shoar and other opponents of Leek attacked him over the price of property insurance in Florida, blaming the costs on policies that he supported in the Legislature. A number of trial lawyers also opposed Leek for writing a bill to combat “lawsuit abuse,” according to Florida Politics.
Leek told Florida’s Voice on Tuesday night that he owed his “incredible victory” to voters who “did not fall for the false attacks” from “statewide Democrat, personal injury lawyers, who spent millions of dollars trying to influence a local state Senate Republican primary election.”
Shortly before Leek’s victory, twice-failed congressional candidate, conspiracy theorist and Trump loyalist Laura Loomer urged Republicans to vote against the “RINO [Republican in Name Only]” in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
“Florida Voters Must Reject RINO Tom Leek @TomLeekforFL who helped contribute to the insurance crisis in Florida & betrayed President Trump,” Loomer wrote. “President Trump has endorsed David Shoar for Florida Senate District 7!”
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Leek is heavily favored to win November’s general election, as District 7 leans heavily Republican. He will face Democrat George “T” Hill, a self-described “former lifelong Republican, self-made millionaire, gender fluid transwoman seeking office in the Florida Senate.”
As tensions escalate overseas, locals in South Florida express a complex mix of concern, hope, and fear—especially for loved ones in Israel and Iran. Community leaders and families share their perspectives on uncertainty, security, and what the future holds.
This Week in South Florida Full Episode: March 1, 2026
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — On the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida” host Janine Stanwood welcomes President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County Audra Berg, Secretary General of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, Division Director of Flood Control and Water Supply Planning for the South Florida Water Management District Carolina Maran, State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras and State Rep. Kevin Chambliss.
The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.
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Janine Stanwood
Janine Stanwood is a Emmy award-winning reporter and anchor. She joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor.