In a stunning win in Tuesday's primary election, newcomer Aramis Ayala edged out her former boss, Jeff Ashton, in the race for State Attorney of the 9th Judicial Circuit.

  • Aramis Ayala beat Jeff Ashton in state attorney race
  • Ashton was running for re-election
  • Ayala says she worked to connect with voters

“It’s very humbling," Ayala said. "It's also very exciting. It's a new day, so I'm trying to keep trekking forward and keep my eyes on all the way through."

One political expert said Jeff Ashton's campaign suffered from a couple problems.

“Some were of his own making, some not so much," said Dr. Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at University of Central Florida. “The biggest one of his own making was when he got caught setting up an Ashley Madison account.”

Ashton apologized for joining the cheating website last August, but Jewett said that the scandal remained a "black mark against him and the office."

A second issue for Ashton, according to Jewett, revolved around hard-hitting campaign ads -- backed by billionaire donor George Soros -- alleging Ashton prosecuted people of color unfairly.

“That was a theme of Ayala’s campaign and it seemed to resonate with the voters of Orange County," said Jewett.

Ayala said she has no ties to Soros. She insisted that her connection to voters gave her the advantage Tuesday night.

“When people know they matter, they come out. They speak out, and they vote," she said. “I’ve been meeting voters and that is what happened. Those are the people who came out.”

The political science professor said that Ayala's win also has bigger implications.

“It’s a historic moment for Orange County, because you got a female minority who is going to be the State Attorney," said Jewett. “It shows the increasing power of black voters and Hispanic voters. They can, if voting as a block, wield some real political power. It will be interesting to see how she organizes the office. She probably will do some things differently.”

“We’re growing gender-wise, we’re growing racially, and having diversity is something that is very important. I think I represent what a lot of people are interested in," said Ayala. “For me, I just want to continue to get my name out. I want people to know who I am, what I stand for.”

We reached out to Jeff Ashton to see if he would speak with us Wednesday. He was not available for comment.

On Tuesday night, Ashton released this statement:

"The voters decided today that the price of the State Attorney's seat is $1.4 million in lies. I'm deeply disappointed in this result but I stand by the good work of my office and the folks who work there."

Ayala faces only a write-in candidate in the November general election; she has no Republican opposition. Jewett said Tuesday's win effectively won Ayala the seat.