Fl. legislative contests heated, costly

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Millions of dollars is being spent to influence the outcome of Florida's legislative elections.

Many of Tuesday's primaries for state Senate and state House seats have become heated and expensive. The battle comes after the once-in-a-decade process where legislative districts are redrawn because of population changes.

Nearly a quarter of the 160 legislative seats went uncontested.

But among the 69 legislative races that have primaries many of them have turned into fierce contests and proxy battles.

A handful of state Senate races could help swing the future leadership of that chamber since primary opponents are backing rivals for Senate president.

Primary opponents have attacked each other over everything from their family lives to whether or not they support Gov. Rick Scott.