ORLANDO, Fla. -- Republican Charles Bronson sailed to a second term as Florida's commissioner of agriculture and consumer services Tuesday night.

Bronson, a longtime rancher, easily defeated Democrat Eric Copeland, a Miami tax attorney who ran on a consumer protection platform. With 36 percent of the expected ballots counted, Bronson had 60 percent of the vote to Copeland's 40.

"We knew our numbers were looking good, and we knew things were leaning our way," Bronson said. "I think the priorities are going to remain about the same. Food safety is a big issue with us, trying to make sure we're doing everything for the consumers that we've done."

Bronson first became commissioner in 2001 after Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to fill a vacancy. He was elected a year and a half later for a full term, and now is prevented by term limits from running again.

"I think we certainly brought the idea of this job as an advocate to the consumers to light, and I'm very proud of the efforts of my supporters," Copeland said. "I don't think you can ever lose when you stand up to power and when you advocate for progress and accountability."