ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Tom Leek defeated David Shoar and Gerry James after a bitter months-long battle for the Republican nomination in Florida's Senate District 7.
The race was called with 92 percent of precincts reporting. Leek had collected 47% of the votes while Shoar and James tallied 27 and 25 percent.
In a statement, Leek thanked his supporters and family.
“To the people of Senate District 7, as we continue to work toward the November 5th general election, my pledge to you is to represent the conservative values and principles that make Northeast Florida the best place to live, work, play, vacation and raise a family and our state the freest in the nation," Leek said.
Leek also acknowledged the contentious campaign between him and Shoar. He took one more shot at the lawyers he accused of funding Shoar's campaign and the attack ads against him.
“There were so many factors that led to this incredible victory, but I truly credit the voters of Senate District 7, who did not fall for the false attacks, hurled by statewide Democrat, personal injury lawyers, who spent millions of dollars trying to influence a local state Senate Republican primary election," Leek said.
First Coast News produced a VERIFY piece on the attack ads that ran for months against Tom Leek and David Shoar.
Despite the loss, Shoar was in good spirits Tuesday night. He said he has no ill-will towards Leek, and he is ready to put this campaign behind him.
“I think the people have spoken in our district. Tom has served in the House before. Surely, we wanted to be a part of that. But that’s ok, things work out," Shoar explained.
While James received the least number of votes in this primary, he was not far behind Shoar. He even beat Shoar in St. Johns County with 31% of the vote. Shoar received 25 percent. James said he is proud of the way he ran his campaign.
“We tried. I ran the race and I fought the fight, and it’s time to move on," James said.
Leek will face Democrat, George Anthony "T" Hill in the November 5th general election.