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Race for Senate seat between Demings, Rubio one of the most expensive in country

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Primary Election Day and one of the most expensive Senate races in the country is playing out in Central Florida.

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Val Demings is giving up her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to challenge incumbent Marco Rubio for his Senate seat.

The real test will come in November.

Live updates: Central Florida voters have till 7 p.m. till cast their ballot in the primary

Democratic strongholds like Orange County will play a huge role in whether she’s successful in unseating Rubio.

Demings has reportedly outspent Rubio two-to-one on ad campaigns, spending about $11 million on over-the-air aids and targeting moderate voters with her history in law enforcement.

READ: Florida primary election: How to find your polling place

Campaign finance reports show Demings has raised more than $47 million since last year in an effort to take the Senate seat, about $10 million more than Rubio.

More than $12 million of that was raised in the second quarter of 2022, an effort her campaign called “historic.”

READ: 2022 Florida primary: What you need to know

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Karla Ray

Karla Ray, WFTV.com

Karla Ray anchors Eyewitness News This Morning on Saturday and Sundays, and is an investigative reporter for the 9 Investigates unit.

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.