Incumbent state Rep. Doug Bankson won the Republican primary for Florida House District 39 Tuesday night, defeating challenger Carlos Johary and advancing to the November general election. 

Bankson received a combined 10,665 votes, or 91.25%, in Orange and Seminole counties, compared with Johary’s 1,023 votes, or 8.75%, according to unofficial election results available from the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. 

All 28 participating Orange County precincts in the district had reported, while nine of 10 participating Seminole County precincts had reported. Orange County officials also listed vote-by-mail ballots as partially reported, while Seminole County listed mail ballots as 99% reported. 

Bankson will face Democrat Jarod Fox, an Orlando physician who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the Nov. 3 general election. 

“I’m so grateful to the Lord, and to all the team who worked so hard, and grateful as well to all the voters in Orange and Seminole counties who showed their support and got out the vote,” Bankson said in a text message to The Apopka Chief Tuesday night. 

“Now it’s on to November to fight for affordability and common sense values for all Floridians,” he said. 

Bankson, an Apopka Republican, is seeking a third term representing House District 39. He was first elected to the Florida House in 2022 after previously serving on the Apopka City Commission. 

In a questionnaire with The Apopka Chief ahead of the primary, Bankson pointed to his experience as a pastor, pilot and entrepreneur as well as his years in public office as keys to his candidacy. He said he has lived in Apopka for more than 40 years and has served on local boards, chaired the Chamber of Commerce and managed businesses and organizations with multimillion-dollar budgets. 

Bankson also cited his legislative record, saying he had secured nearly $25 million in appropriations and passed 20 bills during his two legislative sessions. He identified affordability, economic development and public safety among issues affecting District 39. 

On affordability, Bankson said he supported efforts to reduce property insurance costs and wanted a mechanism to replace local-government revenue that could be lost through property tax reform. He also advocated for public-private partnerships to address housing needs. 

The candidates were also asked about a proposed property tax constitutional amendment. Bankson said the state would need a grant fund to help municipalities that rely heavily on homestead property tax revenue and another source of revenue to replenish those funds if the amendment were approved. 

Johary, a dentist, told the Chief that concerns about government spending, taxes and other issues prompted him to challenge Bankson for the Republican nomination. 

Johary said he had lived and invested in the district since 1992 and wanted to take residents’ concerns to state officials. He described himself as a businessman willing to speak against special interests. 

Fox, an Orlando physician who lives in Winter Garden, announced his campaign in April. He has said his priorities include reducing health care costs, funding public education and investing in small businesses.  

Bankson won his first House District 39 term in 2022 with 55.6% of the general election vote. He was re-elected in 2024 with 52.6%, defeating Democrat Marsha Summersill. 

The Nov. 3 contest between Bankson and Fox will determine who represents District 39 in the Florida House for the next two-year term.