Despite Republican Bob Martinez's wide victory in the gubernatorial election, Meffert narrowly held on, defeating Albright 54–46%.

He faced Jo Ann Smith, the Democratic nominee, who was the first female President of the National Cattlemen's Association.

Despite Smith's unusual appeal to voters in the district's rural areas, Albright ended up narrowly defeating her, 52–48%.

[7] Despite Albright's opposition to government spending and social programs, he also based his campaign on his support for the expansion of state-provided health insurance to uninsured children, which he had helped create in the Florida House.

[9] Albright insisted that he would only participate in the Republican primary if the Florida Supreme Court struck down the Senate district, and if it didn't, he would withdraw from the race and endorse Lynn.