Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Corey Simon will officially become a Republican Florida state senator after winning his race in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Simon toppled incumbent Democrat Loranne Ausley for the seat in Florida’s Senate District 3, with roughly 53% of the vote Tuesday night. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted the newly elected senator in 2000 with the sixth overall pick. He played for Philadelphia from 2000 to 2004. After, he was a member of the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans.
We did it! #TeamSimon pic.twitter.com/v1PaN8ffdA
— Corey Simon (@csime90) November 9, 2022
Simon was announced the winner of District 3 just after 8:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday. With roughly 200,000 votes counted in total, Simon beat Ausley by wide margins in 11 of 13 counties, flipping the once-blue district a deep red, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
PHILADELPHIA – JANUARY 19: Defensive tackle Corey Simon #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after the Eagles score a field goal during the first half of the NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Veterans Stadium on January 19, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Buccaneers defeated the Eagles 27-10. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
“We finally got a seat at the table. For the first time since Reconstruction, Tallahassee District 3 will be represented by a Republican,” Simon told a crowd at an Election Day party in a local area brewery. (RELATED: ‘Actual Threat To Democracy’: Tucker Carlson Calls For End To Electronic Voting Machines)
Ausley maintained her counties of Leon and Gadsden with more than 25,000 votes, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the losses throughout the rural communities around the senate district, the Tallahassee Democrat continued. Simon will now take control of the region, alongside a slew of Republican winners across the state of Florida.
09 Dec 2001 : Cory Simon #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles fights against the defense of the San Diego Chargers during the game at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeat the Chargers 24-14. Doug Pensinger/Allsport/Getty Images
Senate District 3 in Florida encompasses a large part of the panhandle.
Former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jon Runyan served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 and 2015, representing New Jersey’s 3rd district. Once a Pro Bowler, Runyan went on to work for the NFL as vice president of policy and rules administration.