TAMPA, Fla. — Voters hit the polls today for the August primary in Florida, after record-breaking mail and early voting.
Primary elections for races at the local and federal level were on the line, and it was the first real test of the safeguards put in places to protect voters and pollworkers from COVID-19. Plexiglass barriers, social distancing and disinfecting were major priorities for county supervisors of elections.
What You Need To Know
11:00 p.m. update: Eliseo Santana got the Democratic nod to face incumbent Bob Gualtieri for Sheriff of Pinellas County. He worked in communications and technology for 30 years at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
"The vote of confidence that we need to establish a new type of culture within the sheriff’s department – Have body cameras, eliminate this militarization process that’s been going on for too long," Santana said Tuesday.
Gualtieri responded, "I am the only candidate on the November ballot with the experience to ensure we remain a safe community.”
10:20 p.m. update: In Pasco County, with all precincts reporting, incumbent Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and school board member Alison Crumbley had sizable leads on their opponents.
the vote of confidence that we need to establish a new type of culture within the sheriff’s department. Have body cameras, eliminate this militarization process that’s been going on for too long.
But the race for the District 4 county commission seat left less than 1 percentage point between the leading candidates. Nonprofit founder Christina Fitzpatrick led former Tampa police officer Gary Bradford by just more than 600 votes in a four-way race.
9:40 p.m. update: It's official: Rep. Ross Spano did not survive Tuesday's Congressional District 15 GOP primary, losing to Scott Frankin.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Franklin had more than 30,500 votes - 51.3 percent of the vote. Spano had just less than 29,000 - 48.7 percent.
Spectrum News DC reporter Samantha Jo-Roth said: "Spano was bogged by a massive 2018 campaign finance blunder, and that cloud has hovered over his entire term in Congress.
That turned some of his colleagues against him. That included Rep. Matt Gaetz, who backed Franklin, a Lakeland City Commissioner. Gaetz even called hundreds of voters last week to personally urge them to vote for Franklin.
Franklin also had the support of the politically influential Barnett family, founders of Publix supermarkets. He is better known in Polk County - and his strength with voters there may have pushed it over the edge.
This was not the end result that Democrats were hoping for. They wanted to face Spano.
Registration data shows the district is almost evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, but it’s going to be an uphill battle for Democrats now with Franklin at the helm."
Meanwhile, in Citrus County, Sheriff Mike Prendergast defeated three challengers in the primary. He will now face Lee Alexander in November. Alexander is a former police chief in Inverness.
8:50 p.m. update: With Democrat Rep. Wengay Newton opting not to seek another term and run instead for the Pinellas County Commission District 7 seat, his Florida House District 70 seat was up for grabs. Michele Rayner won the primary in an election with three other competitors.
"We always said on August 18th the people will won and they have won today.," Raynor told Spectrum Bay News 9 reporter Trevor Pettiford.
The district represents south St. Pete along with parts of Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties. By winning Tuesday night, Rayner has effectively won the seat outright, making her the first woman and LGBTQ person to do so.
In Hillsborough County, Sheriff Chad Chronister won his Republican primary over Charles Boswell, a former Hillsborough County Sheriff.
7:55 p.m. update: Scott Franklin narrowly tops incumbent Republican Ross Spano, 51-49%, with 95 percent of precincts reporting in Florida 15th Congressional District race.
It is highly unusual for an incumbent to lose during a primary.
7:45 p.m. update: Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis wins his Republican primary.
Also, the race between Thomas Scott and Gwen Myers for Hillsborough County Commission District 3 is extremely close.
Longtime Polk County Commissioner and former state legislator Neil Combee returns to the County Commission with a big win over incumbent John Hall.
With COVID-19 top of mind, Florida elections officials report:
- A record 2.2 million people voted by mail
- More than 2 million requested ballots but did not submit them. They were due into county election offices by 7 p.m. tonight.
- 558,000 voters cast ballots early.
7 p.m. update: Primary election polls have closed in the Bay Area and Central Florida. Polls in the Panhandle will close at 8 p.m.
Follow along for updates from our Spectrum News staff in the newsroom and in the field as we watch the results come in.
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August 19, 2020 at 02:00AM
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Florida Primary Election Night Results 2020 - Bay News 9
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