Tarazona Cigars’ owner and founder Eddie Tarazona’s bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives has come to an end. Tarazona was defeated in the Republican Primary for Florida’s 18th district by current House of Representatives Incumbent Scott Franklin. Tarazona finished fifth in the primary capturing 3.03% of the vote.

Franklin was expected to win the nomination and was by far the most well-funded candidate in the field of five nominees from the GOP for the 18th district seat.

As of 1:34AM ET on August 24, the results were as follows:

Scott Franklin 44,876 (73.06%)
Jennifer Raybon 6,597 (10.74%)
Wendy June Schmeling 4,097 (6.67%)
Kenneth “Kenny” James Hartpence 6,597 (6.50%)
Eduardo “Eddie” Tarazona 1,862 (3.03%)

Tarazona issued a statement on his campaign’s Facebook page:

I am grateful to all that have supported me and my campaign. A loss is but a loss. That being said there is still much work to be done in our nation. That fight never ends. We must continue to take that fight to the radical Democratic Party and the establishment of the GOP. Two separate fights but both a thorn in the side of true conservative progress. Our country is worth fighting for and I’m not about to stop. Thank you all and God Bless.

Photo Credit: Tarazona for Congress