Politics
It’s not the party, it’s the after-party: Where 2026 campaigns are celebrating, or licking their wounds
It’s officially Nov. 3, which means after months of canvassing, stump speeches, debates and campaigning, there is nothing left for candidates and their campaign staff to do except sit back, watch the returns come in and cross their fingers.
Here is where and how candidates up and down the ballot will be spending their Election Night.
Statewide
David Jolly and Gwen Graham, Governor and Lieutenant Governor: The Democratic gubernatorial ticket will host an Election Night watch party at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. The venue will be available to media from 2 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. Media must RSVP for access and credentials. The campaign also plans to livestream the candidates’ remarks on YouTube.
Byron Donalds, Governor: Donalds will host an Election Night event in the Seminole Ballroom at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood. Media may access the ballroom starting at 4:30 p.m. for setup and pre-programming live shots. Media must RSVP to receive credentials. Special requests, such as internet access, must be arranged directly with the hotel. Questions can go to press@byrondonalds.com.
Angie Nixon, U.S. Senate: Nixon will host an Election Night watch party in Jacksonville beginning at 7 p.m. The exact location will be provided upon RSVP.
José Javier Rodríguez, Attorney General: Rodríguez will host an Election Night watch party in Miami beginning at 7 p.m. Media should arrive at 6 p.m. The exact location will be provided upon RSVP.
Annette Taddeo, Chief Financial Officer: Taddeo will join Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins and local Democrats for an Election Night watch party at Magic 13 Brewery, 340 NE 61st St., Miami, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For details, contact Ulysses del Pino at 786-527-0144.
Blaise Ingoglia, Chief Financial Officer: Ingoglia will host an Election Night victory party at The Westshore Grand, Bayshore Ballroom, 4860 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, beginning at 6 p.m. Media should RSVP by emailing their name and outlet to yohana@upperhandstrategies.com.
Congressional
Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s 1st Congressional District: Patronis will host an Election Night party at Apple Annie’s in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., Pensacola, with doors opening at 6 p.m. House District 2 candidate Jon Fay and Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler will also be present.
Mike Klein, Florida’s 3rd Congressional District: Klein will hold an Election Night watch party at Café Voltaire, 48 SW 2nd St., Gainesville, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The locally owned café will sell coffee, tea, desserts, crepes and alcoholic beverages, with a discount for guests who show an “I Voted” sticker or other proof of voting. All are welcome.
Ryan Elijah, Florida’s 7th Congressional District: Elijah’s campaign will host an Election Night watch party at Decision Tactical, 430 Towne Center Circle, Sanford, beginning at 6:45 p.m. Media must submit their name, outlet, email and phone number to obtain credentials.
Gus Bilirakis, Florida’s 12th Congressional District: Bilirakis will watch the returns come in from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Stonewater Grill and Tavern, 4422 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639. He will be joined by Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman. RSVP is requested to Info@BilirakisforCongress.com.
Kimberly Overman, Florida’s 12th Congressional District: Overman will hold an Election Night event at Casa Jolly, 3303 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa, beginning at 7 p.m. She will greet supporters starting at 6:30 p.m. Luis Salazar, candidate for House District 64, and Hillsborough County Commissioner Harry Cohen are co-hosting. Media can set up in the press section starting at 7 p.m. No RSVP is needed; press can check in upon arrival.
Leela Gray, Florida’s 13th Congressional District: Gray will host an Election Night watch party in Largo with volunteers and supporters. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and media can arrive at 5:45 p.m. to set up. The exact location will be provided upon RSVP. Only media who RSVP and receive confirmation will be admitted.
Kathy Castor, Florida’s 14th Congressional District: Castor will hold an Election Night party with supporters in downtown Tampa from 6 to 9 p.m. Media can set up in the press section starting at 5:30 p.m. The exact location will be provided upon RSVP.
Oliver Gilbert, Florida’s 24th Congressional District: Gilbert will hold an Election Night watch party on the rooftop terrace at Topgolf Miami Gardens, 17321 NW 7th Ave., Miami Gardens, beginning at 7 p.m.
Eliott Rodriguez, Florida’s 27th Congressional District: Rodriguez will host an Election Night watch party at Pub 52, 5829 SW 73rd St., South Miami, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Rodriguez will be available for media interviews. Media should contact Fernand Amandi at 305-479-8074 or famandi@bendixenonline.com.
María Elvira Salazar, Florida’s 27th Congressional District: Salazar will host an Election Night watch party at Milanezza Key Biscayne, 700 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne. Media check-in and setup begin at 5 p.m. Advance RSVP is required for media access. Email press@salazar27.com with the outlet name and names of all attending personnel.
Legislature
Jake Johansson, Senate District 8: Johansson will host an Election Night watch party at Houligan’s, Daytona Beach, beginning at 6 p.m. He will track congressional, gubernatorial, statewide and local races, including other Florida Senate candidates.
Lauren Melo, Senate District 28: Melo will host an Election Night party at Alda’s Restaurant and Bar, 7550 Mission Hills Drive, Suite 102, Naples, from 6 to 9 p.m. House candidates Yvette Benarroch (House District 81) and Liesa Priddy (House District 82) are also expected. Media are asked to RSVP at maggie@redhillsfl.com.
Ashley Gantt, Senate District 34: Gantt will join supporters and campaign members for an Election Night gathering at Flight Wine Lounge, 9711 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Alexis Calatayud, Senate District 38: Calatayud will hold an Election Night watch party at Bulla The Falls, 8888 SW 136th St., Suite 100, Miami, beginning at 7 p.m.
Richard Lamondin, Senate District 38: Lamondin will host an Election Night watch party at Bougainvillea’s Old Florida Tavern, 7221 SW 58th Ave., South Miami, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Media are invited to attend and film, with Lamondin available for interviews throughout the evening. RSVP to Manny Orozco at 786-426-6221 or manny@richard.vote.
Allison Tant, House District 9: Tant will host an Election Night party at Ology Brewing Northside beginning at 6:30 p.m. Guests are asked to bring yard signs to be recycled.
JJ Grow, House District 23: Grow will hold a watch party at Kane’s Cattle Co., 508 N. Citrus Ave., Crystal River, beginning at 6 p.m.
Luis Salazar, House District 64: Salazar will host an Election Night watch party at Casa Jolly, 3303 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Karen Gonzalez Pittman, House District 65: Gonzalez Pittman, a Republican, will host an Election Night watch party at Jackson’s Bistro, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Luis Viera, House District 67: Viera and his supporters, volunteers and family will gather for an Election Night watch party at Acropolis Greek Taverna in New Tampa.
Michael Ferguson, House District 100, and Patrick Ferguson, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Town Commission: The brothers will host a joint Election Night watch party at Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill, 3115 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Both candidates will be available for media interviews throughout the evening. For details, contact Emma Collum at 954-952-0191.
Omar Blanco, House District 115: Blanco will hold his Election Night party starting at 7 p.m. at Sergio’s Restaurant, 11927 S. Dixie Highway, Pinecrest.
Ashley Perez, House District 116: Perez and supporters will gather Sports Grill Kendall, 9090 SW 97th Ave., Miami.
Local candidates
Julie Carson, Wilton Manors Mayor: Carson will host an Election Night watch party with family, supporters and community members at Next Bar & Lounge, 2242 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, beginning at 7 p.m. For details, contact Collum at 954-952-0191.
Ken Welch, St. Petersburg Mayor: Welch will host an Election Night watch party at Manhattan Casino, 642 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Supporters are asked to wear campaign colors, and food and drinks will be provided.
Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Mayor: Levine Cava isn’t on the ballot this cycle but will join local Democratic leaders, candidates and supporters for an Election Night watch party at Magic 13 Brewery, 340 NE 61st St., Miami, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Vicki Lopez, Miami-Dade County Commission District 5: Lopez will join supporters and campaign members for an Election Night gathering at The Tower Hotel, 1450 SW 7th St., Miami, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tiffany Moore Russell, Orange County Mayor: Moore Russell will host an Election Night watch party at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown, 60 S. Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. Media are asked to RSVP by calling Andrea Otero at 407-616-4874.
Chris Messina, Orange County Mayor: Messina will host an Election Night victory party at La Verguenza Puertorrican Chinchorro, 1700-1790 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, beginning at 6:30 p.m. All press are invited. For details, contact Irene Sandler at 847-807-5729.
Melissa Castro, Coral Gables City Commission: Castro will gather with supporters at Sawa Restaurant and Lounge, 360 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. and will feature hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
Christina Romelus, Palm Beach County School Board District 4: Romelus will join the Palm Beach County Democratic Party for an Election Night watch party at the Hilton Palm Beach, Majestic Ballroom, 150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, beginning at 7 p.m. For details, contact Collum at 954-952-0191.
Local political parties
Orange County Democrats: The Orange County Democratic Party will host an Election Night watch party at The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive, Unit 100, Orlando, from 7 to 10 p.m. Attendees will include U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost; state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith; state Reps. Anna Eskamani, Rita Harris and Leonard Spencer; Florida Senate candidate John Lowndes; Florida House candidates Eric Gray, Jane Aman, Jarod Fox, Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet and Samuel Vilchez Santiago; Orange County mayoral candidate Moore Russell; County Commission candidates Kamia Brown, Johanna López, Patricia Rumph and Victor Torres; and Clerk of Courts candidate Roberta Walton Johnson. RSVP to Communications@orangefldemocrats.com.
Duval County Republican Party: The party will hold an Election Night celebration at Sneaker’s Sports Grill, 111 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, from 6 to 10 p.m. Media are invited to arrive at 5:30 p.m.
Republican Party of Sarasota: The party will hold an Election Night celebration at The Ora, 578 McIntosh Road, Sarasota. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the celebration starts at 7 p.m. Free tickets are required.
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