Former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford will represent much of Northeast Florida in Congress, while former Democratic state Sen. Al Lawson will represent the district being vacated by disgraced District 5 Congresswoman Corrine Brown.
Rutherford won decisively Tuesday in District 4 with more than 70 percent of the vote. The heavily Republican district covers parts of Nassau, Duval and Baker counties. The seat was formerly held by Republican Ander Crenshaw, but the district had a different shape.
At the Duval Republicans’ watch party Tuesday night, Rutherford said his first priority will be helping residents suffering after Hurricane Matthew.
“But then also looking at strengthening our military, also developing our port, helping to continue to push development of our port. I think our port is poised to be the logistics hub for our entire eastern seaboard,” he said.
Rutherford handily defeated Democrat Dave Bruderly. Bruderly is an engineer who ran on a platform of environmental conservation and addressing climate change.
Meanwhile, Lawson defeated Fleming Island Republican Glo Smith by about 64-to-36 percent. Lawson defeated Rep. Brown in the August primary as she faces federal charges related to her involvement in a fraudulent charity.
