Fil-Am wins Democratic primary in Florida congressional district

A Filipina who immigrated to the United States has won  the Democratic primary,  defeating her rival by more than 20 points, a report on Weartv said.

Jennifer Zimmerman, who immigrated to the US 25 years ago, will face Republican Matt Gaetz for Florida's district one seat in November.

"I am overwhelmed with the support I have received from the constituents of District 1," she said in a Facebook post.

"To those who came out last night and to those who supported me from home, THANK YOU. This victory belongs to all of us."

According to her website, Zimmerman — or Dr. Z as she is known in her community — was born in the Philippines to a father who was a POW during World War II and a mother who was not allowed by her father to attend school.

The eldest of six children, Zimmerman received a full academic scholarship to attend the University of the Philippines, where she majored in Zoology. She obtained her medical degree at the University of the East before moving to the US.

At the US, the happily married mother of three children completed her residency training in Pediatrics at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York.

Zimmerman has been a resident of Florida since 1997. —KBK, GMA News