Republicans and Democrats cast ballots in 10 state Senate districts across Florida Tuesday. While some incumbents faced primary challenges, all of them prevailed. And look for some different faces in the Senate -- even if they have familiar names.

SD 2: Rep. Greg Evers, R-Milton, crushed conservative businessman Mike Hill in the Republican primary to replace Sen. Durrell Peaden, R-Crestview, who represents all of Holmes and Washington counties, as well as parts of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Evers took more than 71 percent of the vote in the Panhandle district with more than 44,000 votes counted.

“I am humbled and honored that the voters in Northwest Florida have selected me to be their Republican candidate for Senate District 2,” said Evers. “I ran for Senate District 2 because I am a proud, conservative, fifth-generation Northwest Floridian, farmer and small-business man; and I ran because I believe together we can make Northwest Florida great, we can work to bring back sanity to our national government, to reclaim a debt-free future for our children and grandchildren, and together we can bring back all that makes America great again. I thank all of my neighbors, friends and supporters in the Panhandle for helping me achieve victory tonight, and I look forward to continuing our fight.

“My campaign during the general election will remain focused on conservative values and making certain that Northwest Florida does not take a backseat to the interests of South and Central Florida in the Legislature,” added Evers. “I believe that the true and tested conservative candidate in this race prevailed tonight, and I am certain that our campaign will prevail again in November.”

With no Democrat in the race, Evers will face TEA Partier Christopher Crawford and write-in candidate Margaret Smith.

SD 6: Former Leon County Schools Superintendent Bill Montford defeated former Rep. Curtis Richardson in the Democratic primary in this seat currently held by Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson of Tallahassee, who ended his years of service in the Legislature to unsuccessfully challenge  U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd. With more than 58,000 votes counted, Montford won 55 percent. He will be a favorite come November over Republican nominee John Shaw, a computer repair business owner. David Abrams is running without party affiliation, while Harrison Arencibian and Reamonn Soto are running as write-in candidates The district contains all of Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Liberty and Wakulla counties and parts of Bay, Jefferson, Leon and Madison counties.

SD 8: Sen. John Thrasher of Jacksonville, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, held off a primary challenge from Dr. Charles Perniciaro in this district that stretches from parts of Nassau County through parts of Duval, St. Johns and Flagler counties before ending in Volusia County.

With almost 52,000 votes counted, Thrasher pulled 62 percent. In November he will face longtime Jacksonville news anchor Deborah Gianoulis, the Democrat in the race. Rebecca Ann Holcomb is running as a write-in candidate.

“I am honored and humbled that the voters of Northeast Florida have, once again, chosen me to be the Republican candidate for Senate District 8,” said Thrasher. “I am particularly grateful to my volunteers, my friends and my family for their steadfast commitment to my campaign. I could not have achieved victory tonight without the hard work and dedication of these individuals, and for that I am truly thankful.

“Tonight is just the first step to victory in November,” said Thrasher. “And, I am ready to debate the tough issues that face Northeast Florida during the general election. My campaign will maintain its same focus of keeping your taxes low, reducing wasteful government spending and growing our job base and local economy, as well as improving our children’s education and preserving the St. Johns River and our beautiful beaches.”