The Florida House District 32 race pits a real estate broker/insurance agent against a retired United States Army reservist. They're competing mainly over who's best to help ease skyrocketing insurance rates — central among the district's challenges..

Republican Brian Hodgers asserts his experience in insurance will empower him to help lower rates for Floridians. His Democratic opponent, Juan Hinojosa, blames career politicians for enabling insurance companies to increase insurance rates. He says his 30-year military career armed him with the skills to fight for policies that lower rates.

The two face off in a special election on June 10. Gov. Ron DeSantis scheduled the special election to fill the seat in Central Brevard County that became vacant with the resignation of incumbent Republican Debbie Mayfield of Indialantic, who beat Hinojosa for the seat in November.

Mayfield resigned her House to seat to run for the Senate District 19 seat had held until November, when she was forced out by term limits. Fellow Republican Randy Fine won Mayfield's old Senate seat, but, in turn, resigned to pursue a congressional opening in a district north of Daytona Beach. Mayfield's brief break in service makes her eligible to run again, according to the Florida Supreme Court.

District 32 includes parts of Central and South Brevard: Rockledge, Viera, Suntree, Melbourne, Indian Harbour Beach and Indialantic. The term for the seat is two years, and the salary is $29,697 a year.

The candidates

Hinojosa has a steep hurdle to climb in a district that is 46.8% Republican, 24.3% Democrat, 25.1% no party affiliation, and 3.6% "other" minor party affiliations.

Hodgers topped his two opponents in the April 1 primary, with 5,640 votes (35.02%), to Bob White's 5,328 (33.08%) and Terry Cronin's 5,138 (31.9%).

Hinojosa also faced a large fund-raising disadvantage.

As of May 1, Hodgers had raised $425,348 in monetary contributions, including $250,000 in his own donations to his campaign and $2,084 in in-kind contributions, spending $341,282 of that, with $503 in "other" expenses. By May 1, Hinojasa had raised just $438 in monetary contributions, with a $2,500 self loan and $80 in in-kind contributions, spending $2,851.

Brian Hodgers

Political/government/civic experience: Served on the government affairs committee for FAIA (Florida Association of Insurance Agents); Government affairs committee for the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce; member of the Brevard Republican Executive Committee; member of the Republican Club of Brevard; member of the North Brevard Republican Club; CO-Founder of the Brevard County Trump Club; Brevard Marine Resource Council; Brevard County Planning and Zoning Board; and Citizens Market Accountability Board.

Top two to three issues and what specific actions you would take to address them?

As an insurance agent that works tirelessly every day on behalf of my clients to find them the lowest rates possible on their insurance, while maintaining the best possible coverage, I feel I am the best person to represent our voters in this current insurance crisis we are engaged in. We need someone with in-depth knowledge of how insurance markets work and has the commitment to fight for consumers.

We must look at capping and rolling back property taxes. The rise in property taxes is beginning to cripple some of our small businesses and homeowners, and we need our local governments to be responsive to their taxpayers with solutions.

As a small business owner. I believe it’s important that we look at the streamlining of the red tape local, state, and federal governments throw in our way. We see far too many small businesses fail due to the burdens they face in getting their business open while burning through their investment dollars just to get open. Getting expedited permitting, and occupational licenses would help these small businesses not only get open quicker, but employ more people that help benefit the local community.

Juan Hinojosa

Top two to three issues and what specific actions candidate would take to address them?

Auto insurance: "The 2023 Florida Legislature voted yes on Senate Bill 1002 and House Bill 541, forcing the auto insurance companies to change our comprehensive and collision deductive. This action raised our auto rates thus forcing all Floridians to pay additional costs. Arizona passed the same law, but opted their constituents to opt out of the coverage and their rates only slightly changed. I want to amend House Bill 541 if elected, to lower our auto insurance rates."

"I truly believe a portion of our career politicians have enabled the insurance companies to increase consumer insurance rates in Florida," he said.

Expand Medicaid coverage: "We have disabled children and adults without medical coverage. Federal funding is available to cover their medical costs, and the state of Florida refuses it."

Housing: "Families are struggling to find affordable rentals or housing, and the career politicians are focused on their political careers and $1,000 political donations from special interests organizations." Hinojosa said.

Waymer covers the environment. Reach him at (321) 261-5903 or [email protected]. Follow him on X at @JWayEnviro.