Republican U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart has won reelection in Florida’s 26th Congressional District, narrowly defeating Democratic challenger Nicole Locklin. CBS News projected the race Monday, Nov. 9, six days after the midterm election.
The contest stayed open for nearly a week after an Associated Press data entry error briefly showed Locklin ahead. The news organization said it identified and corrected the mistake. Locklin later questioned about 3,000 votes that appeared in reported totals on election night before disappearing, and she met with Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott about the discrepancy. Scott defended the county’s counting process.
On Nov. 6, Broward’s canvassing board reviewed about 300 outstanding ballots flagged for issues such as signatures. Scott said about 100 were accepted. Election officials in Broward and Miami-Dade said the remaining ballots could not change the outcome or trigger an automatic recount.
The margin was far tighter than in 2024, when Diaz-Balart won with nearly 71% of the vote. The new map removed Collier County and added part of southwest Broward, and the district now covers northwest Miami-Dade and southwest Broward, including Hialeah, Miami Lakes and Doral.
Immigration and affordability were central issues. Diaz-Balart, first elected in 2002, highlighted spending cuts and federal funding for the Everglades and infrastructure. Locklin, an attorney, called for abolishing ICE and lowering tariffs. No-party candidate Deborah Ann Meidinger Hosey also ran.
