Fentrice Driskell will represent Apollo Beach and Ruskin in the Florida Senate after winning the State Senate District 16 universal primary on Tuesday, Aug. 18, taking roughly 65% of the vote against fellow Democrat Michele Rayner.

Because no Republican filed for the seat, the primary result is final. Driskell heads directly to Tallahassee without facing a November opponent.

Driskell, a Tampa attorney who has served as House minority leader, defeated Rayner, 44, a civil rights attorney who has served in the House since 2020. WFLA reported Driskell captured 64.69% of the vote in unofficial returns. The Florida Phoenix put the margin at approximately 60% to 40%, likely reflecting an earlier count.

The SD-16 seat had been held by Democrat Darryl Rouson for roughly a decade before he was term-limited out. The race to replace him drew sharp divisions within the Democratic caucus. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Meta, Facebook's parent company, put money toward Driskell's campaign, while several members of her own House Democratic caucus and members of the Senate Democratic caucus broke ranks to endorse Rayner.

Driskell is the first Black woman to lead the House Democrats, a role her caucus elected her to hold for four years rather than the standard two. She issued a victory statement Tuesday night, according to the Tampa Bay Times, though the full text was not publicly available.

Rodriguez Ousts Stuart, Sets Up November Matchup With GOP Incumbent

In the other marquee race on South Shore ballots, Aileen Rodriguez won the Hillsborough County Commission District 7 Democratic primary, defeating Cindy Stuart. Rodriguez will face Republican incumbent Joshua Wostal in the Nov. 3 general election for the countywide seat, Axios Tampa Bay reported.

Specific vote totals for the District 7 race were not available as of Tuesday night.

Baldi Cruises to Senate District 20 Win Over Houman

In a second state Senate race touching the South Shore area, Democrat Gerald Baldi, 71, a former advertising executive, defeated John Houman, 79, a retired electrician, by 67% to 32% in the Senate District 20 Democratic primary. Baldi will face Republican incumbent Jim Boyd, who is set to become Florida Senate president, in November.

What's Next Before Results Are Certified

All results from Tuesday's primary remain unofficial pending the county canvass. As we reported Aug. 7, more than 31,000 Hillsborough voters cast early in-person ballots ahead of the primary.

The general election is Nov. 3. Driskell's SD-16 seat will not appear on that ballot.