Jamaican American candidates running in various August 20 primary election day, came away with mixed results.
The most high-profile race – that for the United States Senate – saw Jamaican Stanley Campbell coming up short in seeking to win the Democratic primary. In a three-person race, Campbell finished second with 213,596 votes for 19.6 per cent of the total votes cast.
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell emerged the winner of the Democratic primary with 746,837, or 68.5 per cent of the votes. Brain Rush finished a distant third, securing 72,940 votes, or 6.7 per cent of the votes cast.
Tamar Hamilton also came up short in seeking to win her primary for a judgeship in Broward County group 25.
On the other hand, Dr Jeff Holness, won his election for School Board 5 in Broward County; Alexandra Davis, also won her seat is now commissioner-elect for Broward County District 8.
Mark Douglas will now take on the incumbent mayor for the city of Sunrise in November after winning his primary.
Several other Jamaican Americans will contest the November 5 elections, including Denise Grant, who is running to become mayor of Lauderhill.
Campbell was seeking to win the Democratic primary to take on incumbent US Senator Rick Scott, who won his Republican primary.
Campbell, who boasts Jamaican heritage, had tossed his hat in the ring to try and win the Democratic Party’s primary to run for the US Senate seat currently held by Republican Rick Scott.
Campbell said he decided to run because he believes he is the best candidate to take on Scott and beat him.
“I bring a wealth of experience to this race, and I know that I will be able to beat the current sitting Republican senator,” he had said prior to the primary.
Campbell credited the influence of his Jamaican father and the Jamaican culture for his decision to give back to his community.
The owner of his own business as well as three golf courses in Florida and North Carolina, Campbell had loaned his campaign US$1 million to kick-start his run.
This was his first foray into elected politics.
