Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/office/fl_2020_general_election_state_house_dis79
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.

Florida, State Representative, District 79

Florida House of Representatives District 79
Current incumbentSpencer Roach Republican Party
Population153,746
Race78.6% White, 11.7% Black, 0.4% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.7% Some other race alone, 2.5% Two or More Races
Ethnicity62.9% Single-Race Non-Hispanic White, 11.7% Non-Hispanic Black, 1.1% Hispanic Black, 22.2% Hispanic, 2.1% Non-Hispanic Other
Voting age76.7% age 18 and over

Florida's seventy-ninth state house district is represented by Republican Representative Spencer Roach.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 153,746 civilians reside within Florida's seventy-ninth state house district. Florida state representatives represent an average of 156,678 residents, as of the 2010 Census. After the 2000 Census, each member represented approximately 133,186 residents.

About the office

Members of the Florida House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits. Members of the House may serve no more than four consecutive terms. Florida legislators assume office two weeks following their election.

Qualifications

To run for the Florida House of Representatives, candidates must be 21 years old, have lived in Florida for two years and live in the district they intend to serve.

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$29,697/year$152/day based on the number of days in Tallahassee.

Term limits

The Florida legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Florida Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Florida representatives are subject to term limits of no more than four two-year terms.

The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, a special election must be called to fill the vacant seat. The Governor is responsible for calling the election and must consult with the Secretary of State to set the election dates and nominating deadlines. The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Florida House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for August 18, 2020. The filing deadline is June 12, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 79

Spencer Roach (R) defeated Mark Lipton (D) in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 79 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Spencer Roach (R)
58.9
32,221

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Mark Lipton (D)
41.1
22,462

Total votes: 54,683
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 79

Mark Lipton advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 79 on August 28, 2018.

Candidate

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Mark Lipton (D)

Republican primary election
Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 79

Spencer Roach defeated Matthew Miller in the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 79 on August 28, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Spencer Roach (R)
58.7
7,412

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Matthew Miller (R)
41.3
5,209

Total votes: 12,621

2016

Elections for the Florida House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.

Incumbent Matt Caldwell defeated John Scott and Matt Miller in the Florida House of Representatives District 79 general election.

Florida House of Representatives, District 79 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Matt Caldwell Incumbent 51.17% 32,273
Democratic John Scott 38.26% 24,133
No party affiliation Matt Miller 10.57% 6,665
Total Votes 63,071
Source: Florida Division of Elections

John Scott ran unopposed in the Florida House of Representatives District 79 Democratic primary.

Florida House of Representatives, District 79 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png John Scott (unopposed)
Incumbent Matt Caldwell ran unopposed in the Florida House of Representatives District 79 Republican primary.

Florida House of Representatives, District 79 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Matt Caldwell Incumbent (unopposed)
Matt Miller listed no party affiliation on the candidate list.

2014

Elections for the Florida House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Incumbent Matt Caldwell defeated Matt Miller in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

Florida House of Representatives, District 79 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Caldwell Incumbent 60.6% 9,038
Matt Miller 39.4% 5,865
Total Votes 14,903

2012

Elections for the Florida House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 14, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 8, 2012. Incumbent Matt Caldwell (R) was unopposed in the general election and defeated Jon Larsen Shudlick in the Republican primary.

Florida House of Representatives, District 79 Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngMatt Caldwell Incumbent 85.7% 11,764
Jon Larsen Shudlick 14.3% 1,965
Total Votes 13,729

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Florida House of Representatives District 79 raised a total of $840,851. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $120,122 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Florida House of Representatives District 79

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $432,730 3 $144,243
2014 $264,684 2 $132,342
2012 $143,437 2 $71,719
Total $840,851 7 $120,122