These Puerto Rican Candidates Won in the Midterm Elections

Several Boricua candidates kept their seats, including Rep. Darren Soto, but Floridians also elected newcomer Johanna López, who was previously an Orlando school teacher.

Several Puerto Rican candidates prevailed Tuesday night in Florida’s midterm elections.

Democratic Rep. Darren Soto was re-elected to the US House in Florida’s 9th Congressional District with 53.2% of the votes against the Republican candidate, Scotty Moore. 

Soto is an ally of Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans living in Florida and promotes economic and climate change measures.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Johanna López won Democratic House District 43 with 57% of the votes against Republican candidate Chris Wright, with 43%.

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The Aguadillana was a Spanish teacher for 20 years at Colonial High School in Orlando. In 2017 she became the first Hispanic teacher to be recognized as “Teacher of the Year.” In 2018 she became the first Latina on the Orange County School Board.

Maribel Gómez Cordero was re-elected to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, representing District 4. Gómez was born in Puerto Rico and works as a family mental health therapist. 

Viviana Janer, was re-elected Osceola Board of County Commissioner, representing District 2. She had an overwhelming victory with 73% of the votes, competing against Behula ‘Rosita’ Farquarson, who received 26%.

Sen. Víctor Torres prevailed in Senate District 25 for a third term with 53% of the votes, against Republican Peter Vivaldi who got 47%. The economy, health care, and safety are some of Torres’ top priorities for his next term.