Florida, State Representative, District 48

Florida House of Representatives District 48
Current incumbent	Amy Mercado
Population	156,456
Race	64.2% White, 12.7% Black, 0.5% Native American, 5.0% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 13.2% Some other race alone, 4.3% Two or More Races
Ethnicity	27.1% Single-Race Non-Hispanic White, 10.9% Non-Hispanic Black, 3.5% Hispanic Black, 52.5% Hispanic, 6.5% Non-Hispanic Other
Voting age	74.4% age 18 and over

Florida's forty-eighth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Amy Mercado.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 156,456 civilians reside within Florida's forty-eighth state house district. Florida state representatives represent an average of 156,678 residents, as of the 2010 Census. After the 2000 Census, each member represented approximately 133,186 residents.

About the office

Members of the Florida House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits. Members of the House may serve no more than four consecutive terms. Florida legislators assume office two weeks following their election.

Qualifications

To run for the Florida House of Representatives, candidates must be 21 years old, have lived in Florida for two years and live in the district they intend to serve.

Salaries

State legislators
Salary	Per diem
$29,697/year	$152/day based on the number of days in Tallahassee.

Term limits

The Florida legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Florida Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Florida representatives are subject to term limits of no more than four two-year terms.

The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, a special election must be called to fill the vacant seat. The Governor is responsible for calling the election and must consult with the Secretary of State to set the election dates and nominating deadlines. The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Florida House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for August 18, 2020. The filing deadline is June 12, 2020.

2018

General election

General election for Florida House of Representatives District 48

Incumbent Amy Mercado (D) defeated George Chandler (R) in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 48 on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Amy Mercado (D)	73.4	37,279
	George Chandler (R)	26.6	13,525

The results have been certified.

Total votes: 50,804

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 48

Incumbent Amy Mercado advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 48 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Amy Mercado (D)

The results have been certified.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 48

Scotland Calhoun advanced from the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 48 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Scotland Calhoun (R)

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

2016

Elections for the Florida House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.

Amy Mercado defeated Gus Martinez in the Florida House of Representatives District 48 general election.

Florida House of Representatives, District 48 General Election, 2016

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Amy Mercado	79.84%	47,346
	No party affiliation	Gus Martinez	20.16%	11,958
Total Votes			59,304
Source: Florida Division of Elections

Amy Mercado defeated Alex Barrio in the Florida House of Representatives District 48 Democratic primary.

Florida House of Representatives, District 48 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Amy Mercado	60.19%	3,949
	Democratic	Alex Barrio	39.81%	2,612
Total Votes			6,561

Gus Martinez listed no party affiliation on the candidate list.

2014

Elections for the Florida House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Incumbent Victor M. Torres, Jr. was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

Elections for the Florida House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 14, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 8, 2012. Victor M. Torres, Jr. (D) was unopposed in both the general election and Democratic primary.

Campaign contributions

From 2012 to 2016, candidates for Florida House of Representatives District 48 raised a total of $231,952. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $46,390 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Florida House of Representatives District 48

Year	Amount	Candidates	Average
2016	$148,339	3	$49,446
2014	$77,112	1	$77,112
2012	$6,501	1	$6,501
Total	$231,952	5	$46,390