Politics
Luis Salazar defeats Dan Weldon in HD 64 race, reclaiming seat for Dems
Democrat Luis Salazar defeated Republican Dan Weldon on Tuesday, flipping House District 64 back to Democratic control.
Salazar received 26,029 votes, or 59%, compared with 18,151 votes, or 41%, of votes cast in favor of Weldon, with all precincts reporting.
Salazar’s victory gives Democrats back a seat outgoing Rep. Susan Valdés won as a Democrat in 2024 before switching to the Republican Party shortly after the election.
Salazar, a Navy veteran and Democratic organizer, pushed for stronger insurance regulations and consumer protections. Weldon, a former prosecutor and conservative activist, campaigned on government accountability and reducing the cost of living.
Originally from California and raised in Arizona, Salazar is a first-generation college graduate with a background in media and communications. His campaign biography highlights his work organizing Latino and LGBTQ+ voters.
Salazar made Florida’s property and auto insurance markets a point of emphasis for his campaign. He argued that Florida’s efforts to stabilize the insurance market have done too little to lower premiums despite billions of dollars in state-backed financial support.
His proposals included stronger oversight of insurers, requiring companies to justify rate increases and tying public financial support to lower premiums. He also supported capping excessive rate hikes and investing in storm mitigation, fraud prevention and greater market competition.
Salazar has called for bipartisan cooperation to advance his insurance proposals in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Weldon, a Tampa lawyer, entered the race in June after abandoning his campaign for Florida’s 14th Congressional District.
A Tampa native, Weldon played linebacker at the University of Florida, where he also became involved in conservative politics. He later served as statewide Chair of the College Republicans of Florida and graduated from UF’s Levin College of Law.
Weldon made his opposition to career politicians a point of emphasis during his campaign, arguing that elected officials have failed to address the rising costs facing Florida families.
His campaign website highlighted housing, groceries, insurance and energy prices as among his top priorities. Weldon argued that special interests have contributed to higher costs and fewer consumer choices.
Both candidates won contested August Primaries.
Weldon defeated Republican Angel Ramos with about 66% of the vote, while Salazar won a three-way Democratic Primary with nearly 45% of the vote over former Tampa City Council Member Mike Suarez and John Rodriguez.
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