Republican Ryan Elijah expected to win Dist. 7, Democrat Darren Soto expected to win Dist. 9
ORLANDO, Fla. – The State of Florida has announced there will not be a recount in a pair of closely contested U.S. House races in Central Florida. Both the District 7 race and District 9 race fall outside of recount requirements.
Democrat Darren Soto is expected to win in District 9.
Republican Ryan Elijah is expected to win in District 7.
The Florida Department of State said on Saturday only District 27 in South Florida is the only Florida U.S. House district going to a recount. Florida State House District 33 in Brevard County will also go to a recount.
State law requires a machine recount when the margin is one-half of 1 percent or less of total votes cast.
Results will not be official until the Florida
Results will not be official until the Florida Elections Canvassing Commission certifies them on Nov. 17, 2026.
Democratic incumbent Rep. Darren Soto faced a steep climb when Florida’s Republican legislature redrew congressional district, adding more traditionally Republican areas into District 9, which previously only included Osceola County and parts of Orange County and Polk County.
District 9 was redrawn this year and now stretches across 5,500 square miles, taking in parts of Orange and Osceola counties along with portions of Polk, Indian River, Okeechobee, Highlands, and Glades counties.
Soto faced Republican challenger Dan Green, a military
Soto faced Republican challenger Dan Green, a military veteran who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense during the first Trump administration.
TV news anchor turned politician Ryan Elijah posted on social media after the state’s announcement.
“I am honored by the faith of the people of Central Florida have placed in me and will work to maintain their trust each and every day.”
Elijah will replaced scandal plagued U.S. Congressman Cory Mills.
Last fall, a judge granted a temporary restraining order involving Mills after his former girlfriend accused him of threatening to release intimate photographs of her. Mills has denied wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.
Mills is also the subject of an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation.
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