Tipsheet

So, That's How Republicans Just Lost a Long-Held Mayoral Seat By a Single Vote

Joseph Chalfant
Joseph Chalfant  |  March 14, 2026 4:00 PM

The most frustrating situation in politics just occurred in Boca Raton, Florida after a Democrat won the mayoral race in a seat that was held by Republicans for more than 30 years straight by a single vote. Despite a Democrat winning the election, 60 percent of voters had selected a Republican candidate on their ballot. Nationally, Democrats are overjoyed by the result.

So how did this even happen? Two Republican candidates ran and split the vote. There's no run off for this race, so whoever took the plurality of the vote would win the seat. It should have been an easy victory for the GOP. Instead, pride and in-fighting led to the loss of an election that should not have even been close. A recount will be held, but I am not going to hold my breath that it will change anything.

This isn’t a new situation. Do you remember the name Al Franken? He became a senator after winning just 41.99 percent of the vote in the 2008 U.S. Senate election in Minnesota. The Republican incumbent, Norm Coleman, took 41.98 percent of the vote, and trailed Franken by only 312 votes. Where did all of those other votes go? To Dean Barkley, a member of the Independence Party, which was heavily backed by Ross Perot supporters. His protest candidacy led to the rise of one of the most prolific progressives of the 2010s.

Many politicians feel the need to take a “principled” stand and play spoiler candidate in races that they have no shot of winning. Sadly, they have often done good work during their careers as well, but have either been fooled by their consultants and advisors into thinking that they have a shot or are blinded by their own pride. The Senate race in Texas is going to a costly run off because of this. The Senate race in Georgia is heading in the same direction.

Politics might seem like a fun game for some, but they have real consequences for the people who have to live under poor governance. The hubris of some candidates shouldn’t be the reason for that.