March 12 (Bloomberg) — Republican David Jolly's victory in a special election in Florida's 13th Congressional District, upsetting a Democratic rival in a race that drew at least $8.8 million in spending by outside groups, opens a season of midterm elections that could revolve around Obamacare.

Jolly defeated Democrat Alex Sink 48.4 percent to 46.6 percent, with 100 percent of precincts in the Tampa Bay-area district reporting yesterday, according to the Pinellas County elections office. Libertarian Lucas Overby had 4.8 percent.

With less than eight months remaining before midterm congressional elections, strategists, political committees and elected officials poured resources into this district, buying ads that tested messaging on the president's Affordable Care Act, Social Security and abortion.