Businessman Joe Strada and lawyer James Pericola appear to be headed for a general election battle for U.S. House District 11 in November after preliminary results showed them winning the respective primaries for Republicans and Democrats. 

With all precincts reporting, Strada led by a slim margin against former Lake County Property Appraiser and state lawmaker Carey Baker, according to published numbers from the Orange County, Sumter County and Lake County election supervisors. Orange County reported that some vote-by-mail ballots remained uncounted as of midnight Wednesday morning, and the race remained uncalled by the Associated Press. 

Unofficial results showed Strada with 33.5% of the vote, while Baker had 33% of the vote — amounting to a 377-vote separation — which is within the margin required for a recount. Former Marine Tim Wilkins garnered 25.5% of the vote.  

U.S. House District 11 incumbent Rep. Dan Webster announced his retirement in April and endorsed Baker to replace him.  

In the Democratic primary, Pericola handily defeated his two challengers to advance to the general election with 46.4% of the vote. Candidates Royal Webster (27.5%) and Dan Williams (26.2%) finished second and third in the three-way race.  

In an Apopka Chief questionnaire published last month, Pericola said his campaign was focused on kitchen table issues, including the high cost of living. He reiterated those themes Tuesday night.  

“Across three counties, more than 20,000 Democrats came together to nominate a candidate who will stand up to Trump and the failed policies that have brought us here — astronomical gas prices, millions of Floridians kicked off their healthcare, and ridicule and shame around the world,” Pericola said in a statement.  

Cook Political Report rates U.S. House District 11 as “solidly red,” meaning it is expected to go Republican in November.  

Elsewhere in Central Florida, former TV anchor Ryan Elijah defeated embattled Rep. Cory Mills in a Republican primary for U.S. House District 7, which includes Seminole and Volusia counties. Mills received the endorsement of President Donald Trump but had been plagued by scandals and ethics investigations.  

In statewide races, U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody cruised to victory over three lesser-known Republican challengers, capturing more almost 80% of the GOP vote. In November, she will face Democrat Angie Nixon, a progressive candidate who defeated the more moderate Alex Vindman.  

The winner will serve the remaining two years in Sen. Marco Rubio’s remaining term, which he left to become U.S. Secretary of State last year.  

In the race to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds won the GOP primary with more than 47% of the vote, easily defeating Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who captured just over 25% of the vote.  

“I am grateful to my family, my team, my volunteers, and every Floridian who powered us to this victory,” Donalds said in an election night statement. “Now is the time for the Republican Party to unite. By working together, we can make Florida more affordable and defend the Florida Dream for our families, seniors, and young people.” 

In the general election, Donalds will face former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat who captured 61% of the primary vote. Former math teacher Dayna Marie Foster came in second with more than 15% of the vote.