LaShonda “L.J.” Holloway won the Democratic primary for Florida’s fourth congressional district. | Candidate photo

LaShonda “L.J.” Holloway won the Democratic primary for Florida’s fourth congressional district, which covers Nassau and St. Johns counties, as well as much of Duval, according to an Associated Press call.

Holloway earned over 57% percent of the vote with 93% of the votes counted. She held a strong majority in Duval and Clay counties, trailing behind retired lawyer Michael Kirwin in Nassau. 

In Nassau and St. Johns counties, voters are predominantly registered as Republicans, while Duval county has a narrow Democratic majority. For years, Democrats held the seat, which previously ran from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. It was targeted by Gov. Ron DeSantis after the last census as an opportunity for a GOP pickup. It ultimately helped Republicans take back the House majority in 2022.

A poll conducted by the Tyson Group in July showed Holloway in the lead with support from 41 percent of voters surveyed. Eleven percent backed retired lawyer Michael Kirwan and four percent backed Democratic Socialist Brittney Robinson.

Holloway previously secured the Democratic nomination for the district in 2022 and 2024, losing both times to Republican Aaron Bean who currently holds the seat. She has raised just over $27,300 according to Federal Election Commission filings. 

Holloway will again face off against Bean– who has over $1.6 million cash on hand– in the November general election.

Rhiannon is currently a journalism master’s student at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and a summer 2026 fellow with The Florida Trib.

Rhiannon Rashidi is an accountability journalist with a passion for stories that investigate harm and the systemic failings that allow it to continue. She has spent years reporting in New York City, primarily covering housing, criminal justice, and immigration. Rhiannon is currently a journalism master’s student at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Rhiannon received her bachelor’s degree in Comparative Literature from the City College of New York, where she served as the editor in chief of the student run legacy newspaper. Her work has appeared in NBCU Academy, PEN America, WNYC, and Gothamist. She was previously a fellow with NBCU Academy, The Nation, the Inner Circle, and PEN America. Rhiannon was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she was a competitive dancer and horseback rider. 

You can reach Rhiannon at rhiannon.rashidi@floridatrib.org