Jim Boyd secures spot as Republican nominee in Florida Senate race

Bradenton Republican Jim Boyd won the primary contest for the District 21 seat of the Florida State Senate on Tuesday, easily deflecting a challenge from perennial candidate John Manners Houman in the GOP primary.

With all precincts reporting in Manatee and Hillsborough counties, Boyd received 49,477 votes, or 90%. Houman received 5,418, or 10%.

Boyd, 63, is a Bradenton native and CEO of Boyd Insurance and Investment Services.

If elected in November, it will be Boyd’s first time serving in the Florida Senate, but he is no newcomer to state politics.

Boyd served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, where he pushed legislation on issues including the statewide opioid crisis, immigration enforcement and veterans care.

Before that, he previously served on Palmetto City Council and as the city’s mayor and vice mayor, as well as a stint as fire commissioner for the North River Fire District.

Boyd has vowed to take his conservative agenda back to Tallahassee with a focus on spending, maintaining low taxes, border security and protecting the state’s water supply.

The District 21 senate seat is currently held by Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, who could not run for re-election because of term limits.

Boyd will now face Democrat Anthony Eldon in the general election. Eldon, 23, is a public school teacher and activist who was recently nominated to run after candidate Amanda Linton announced plans to relocate due to COVID-19.

This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 8:42 PM.