Former Philadelphia Eagles player Corey Simon won a Florida State Senate seat on Tuesday in the 2022 midterm elections, turning a once blue district to red.
Simon defeated incumbent Democrat Loranne Ausley for Florida’s Senate District Three Tuesday night, where he beat out Ausley with 53% of the vote to the Democrat’s 47% in state returns, the Eagleswire USA Today.com reported in a piece published Wednesday.
After results came in, the former Eagles player tweeted to his thousands of followers, “We did it! #TeamSimon.”
We did it! #TeamSimon pic.twitter.com/v1PaN8ffdA
— Corey Simon (@csime90) November 9, 2022
“Flipped to RED!” a tweet from the Florida GOP read. “Congratulations Senator-elect [csime90] on your HUGE victory tonight!”
Flipped to RED! Congratulations Senator-elect @csime90 on your HUGE victory tonight! pic.twitter.com/vxnszCMQjq
— Florida GOP (@FloridaGOP) November 9, 2022
“FLIP ALERT!” the Republican State Leadership Committee added in another tweet. “Corey Simon has flipped a seat in the Florida state Senate. Corey will keep working toward a brighter future for all Floridians.”
FLIP ALERT! Corey Simon has flipped a seat in the Florida state Senate. Corey will keep working toward a brighter future for all Floridians. pic.twitter.com/jrGHG6dJ2y
— Republican State Leadership Committee (@RSLC) November 9, 2022
Congrats to NFL Alum Corey Simon! (Eagles, Colts, Titans; 2000-07). https://t.co/m3XQb6Wdzu
— NFL Alumni (@NFLAlumni) November 9, 2022
In a portion of Simon’s victory speech posted online, the state Senator-elect thanked all of his fans, noting that his Pop Warner football team was even there to celebrate as he promised to make them all proud.
“We finally got a seat at the table,” Simon told supporters at his Election Night watch party Tuesday night, the Talhassee Democrat noted. “For the first time since Reconstruction, Tallahassee District 3 will be represented by a Republican.”
“We’re gonna celebrate for the next 24 hours and then we’re going to get to work,” Simon told a reporter, the outlet noted. “I’m so thankful to have this opportunity to represent the folks of District 3, but this district can’t be forgotten any longer.”
Republican Corey Simon delivers a victory speech after defeating incumbent Democrat Loranne Ausley in the race for Florida Senate District 3, which has been historically Democratic. #election2022 pic.twitter.com/EzqqVCSlUe
— Valerie Crowder (@valcrowder) November 9, 2022
Simon first became a star in Tallahassee under coach Bobby Bowden when he was with the Florida State Seminoles football team. He will now represent the city, which is in Florida Senate District #3.
The former professional football player was selected in the 2000 NFL Draft in the sixth spot overall, the outlet noted. He not only played for the Eagles during his career, but for the Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans. He was picked to the ProBowl in 2004.
Simon’s victory followed a very good night for Republicans in the Sunshine State where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won his re-election handily against Democratic challenger Charlie Crist.
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