John Rutherford wins another term in Congress

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Incumbent U.S. Rep. John Rutherford is the projected winner of Florida’s 4th Congressional District race.

The former sheriff of Duval County won 61% of the vote over former TV anchor Donna Deegan’s 39% to seal the Republican’s third term in Congress.

Rutherford thanked his supporters as he claimed victory Tuesday night.

“That’s why tonight, this victory, doesn’t belong to me. It doesn’t belong to other candidates. It belongs to you, the people of Duval County and Northeast Florida. God bless you and thank you," he said.

Deegan, also a cancer survivor and cancer awareness advocate, made the strongest showing any Democrat has against Rutherford. When Rutherford was first elected to Congress in 2016, he received 70% of the vote.

Deegan took the loss in stride.

“I feel very grateful I was able to bring some voices that are often lost in this very red state," said Deegan, who held a watch party at her Atlantic Beach home. "I can’t tell you how many people came to me saying, ‘Thank you about voicing our concerns about health care, about coverage for preexisting conditions.’ It is my hope that Rutherford will take those voices back with him and truly be a bipartisan representative for all of us.”

Rutherford said he’s looking forward to going back to Washington, D.C., and helping Americans get back to work.

“We’re going to restore the American dreams for you and your family and me and my family," he said. "Working together in a bipartisan way, we can get things done for you in Washington, D.C.”