ORLANDO, Fla. — Maitland Mayor John Lowndes has officially entered the race for Florida Senate District 10, becoming the latest Democrat seeking to unseat Republican state Sen. Jason Brodeur in one of Central Florida’s most closely watched legislative contests.
Lowndes filed his candidacy Monday, launching a campaign that will likely focus on issues including growth management, infrastructure, environmental policy, and affordability in a district that spans all of Seminole County and portions of northern Orange County.
The race adds another layer of intrigue to Florida’s 2026 election cycle as Democrats continue searching for opportunities to regain ground in a state that has increasingly favored Republican candidates in recent years.
Longtime Public Servant Enters Race
Lowndes has served as mayor of Maitland since 2021 and previously served on the Maitland City Council.
Before entering local politics, he worked as an environmental and land-use attorney and served in the Orange County Attorney’s Office. His legal career also included representing Native American tribal governments in Washington, D.C., and Alaska.
Supporters say Lowndes brings decades of experience in government, environmental law, and municipal leadership to the race.
If elected, he would represent communities including Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Winter Park, and portions of northern Orange County.
Brodeur Faces Another Challenge
Brodeur, a Republican from Sanford, currently represents Senate District 10 and is expected to seek reelection.
A longtime fixture in Central Florida politics, Brodeur has built a reputation as a conservative legislator focused on education, economic development, and government reform.
Republicans have performed strongly across much of Seminole County in recent election cycles, though Democrats believe shifting demographics and suburban voter trends could make the district more competitive.
Democratic Primary Still Ahead
Lowndes is not currently guaranteed a spot on the general election ballot.
Democrat Alexander Duncan has also filed to run for Senate District 10, setting up the possibility of a Democratic primary before voters choose a challenger to face Brodeur in November.
The outcome of the primary could determine which candidate Democrats believe has the strongest chance of competing in a district that has leaned Republican but remains one of the more closely watched legislative seats in Central Florida.
Key Issues Likely to Shape the Race
Political observers expect several issues to dominate the campaign, including housing affordability, transportation infrastructure, education funding, insurance costs, and continued growth across Orange and Seminole counties.
As Central Florida continues attracting new residents and businesses, local leaders face increasing pressure to balance economic development with quality-of-life concerns.
The race is expected to draw attention from both parties as they look to strengthen their positions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
What It Means for Central Florida
Lowndes enters the race facing an uphill battle in a district represented by Republican Sen. Jason Brodeur, as Democrats continue struggling to regain momentum in Florida.
While Democrats hope demographic changes will improve their chances, Republicans have continued to outperform expectations across much of Central Florida and remain dominant in statewide elections.
With candidate qualifying still months away and a Democratic primary potentially looming, the race is likely to become one of the most competitive legislative contests in Central Florida.
