Contested Central Florida U.S. House Races Avoid Recounts

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida officials have determined that neither of two tightly contested U.S. House races in Central Florida qualifies for a recount. The contests in District 7 and District 9 both fell outside the state’s recount threshold.

Democrat Darren Soto is projected to retain his seat in District 9.

Republican Ryan Elijah is projected to win the District 7 race.

The Florida Department of State announced Saturday that District 27 in South Florida is the only Florida U.S. House contest headed for a recount. A recount will also be conducted in Florida House District 33, which includes parts of Brevard County.

Under Florida law, a machine recount is required when the vote margin is no more than one-half of 1 percent of all ballots cast.

The results will remain unofficial until the Florida Elections Canvassing Commission certifies them on Nov. 17, 2026.

Darren Soto has already declared victory

Democratic incumbent Rep. Darren Soto entered the race facing a difficult political landscape after Florida’s Republican-led Legislature redrew District 9. The new map added more traditionally Republican territory to a district that previously covered Osceola County and portions of Orange and Polk counties.

The redrawn district now spans roughly 5,500 square miles, including parts of Orange and Osceola counties as well as sections of Polk, Indian River, Okeechobee, Highlands and Glades counties.

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Soto’s Republican opponent was Dan Green, a military veteran who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense during President Donald Trump’s first administration.

Ryan Elijah ‘honored’ by people of Central Florida

Ryan Elijah, a former television news anchor who entered politics, responded on social media following the state’s announcement.

“I am honored by the faith the people of Central Florida have placed in me and will work to maintain their trust each and every day.”

Elijah is expected to replace scandal-plagued U.S. Rep. Cory Mills.

Last fall, a judge issued a temporary restraining order involving Mills after his former girlfriend accused him of threatening to release intimate photographs of her. Mills has denied wrongdoing related to the allegations.

Mills is also facing an ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee.