Mario Diaz-Balart was re-elected to Florida's 25th Congressional District on Tuesday, knocking out former Judge and opponent Mary Barzee Flores.
Elected in 2002, Diaz-Balart hasn't seen a serious re-election challenge in 10 years.
Barzee Flores was buoyed by a surge in enthusiasm among Democratic voters nationwide, but it wasn't enough to unseat the popular congressman, who represents western suburbs of Miami and parts of Collier and Hendry counties.
Diaz-Balart said his priorities heading into his ninth term in the house are building up the military and strengthening the economy.
He also specifically mentioned helping immigrants who he said deserve a legal status but don’t have one under the current immigration system.