U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., was easily elected to Congress for a third term.
With 97 percent of the vote in, Rutherford took 61 percent while Democrat Donna Deegan, well known on the First Coast for her role in fighting breast cancer and her work as a TV anchor, got 39 percent. Journalist and veteran Gary Koniz was running as a write-in candidate.
“Thank you to the wonderful people of Northeast Florida for entrusting me to serve you for another term in Congress. Together, we will continue to restore our American way of life, rebuild the greatest American economy ever and renew the American Dream,” Rutherford announced as he declared victory.
Rutherford represents all of Nassau Counties and parts of Duval and St. Johns Counties.
After three terms as Duval County sheriff, Rutherford was elected to Congress for the first time in 2016 after longtime U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla., retired. Rutherford sits on the powerful U.S. House Appropriations Committee.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
