There hasn’t been an incumbent victory in Pasco County Commission’s District 4 seat since 2002. And that streak will continue through at least 2018.
Henry Wilson Jr., who surprised everyone four years ago to unseat incumbent Mike Cox, was no match for Mike Wells Jr., who took the election in the open primary Tuesday, and will become the newest member of the county commission later this year.
With all precincts reporting by 9:32 p.m., Wells had 68 percent of the vote, while Wilson finished with 32 percent.
Wells is the son of former county commissioner and current property appraiser Mike Wells Sr., and raised a little more than $86,000. Wilson far exceeded his collections of 2010, bringing in donations of $40,000.
Everyone was able to vote in that commission race since there was no November challenger, and the winner would take his seat on the commission.
In the other county commission race, Mike Moore took the first step in his bid to replace the retiring Pat Mulieri in District 2.
Moore took 55 percent of the vote to slide past former state Rep. Ken Littlefield and Zephyrhills financial analyst Bob Robertson. Once again, money talked, with Moore topping the $100,000 mark in donations, far ahead of either competitor.
“I am humbled by the support our campaign has received from so many people from across Pasco County,” Moore said in a statement. “Now we look forward to the general election in November, and I am excited about the opportunity we have to share our campaign message with even more voters in the coming weeks. We are focused on creating jobs and building a better future here in Pasco County, and I look forward to seeing each of you on the campaign trail.”
Moore will now face Erika Remsberg in the general election. Remsberg, running as a Democrat did not have a primary opponent.
Modem trouble caused the winners to have to delay their celebrations a little bit, as the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections office had to wait nearly 30 minutes for the final six precincts to start providing their finished reports. Beyond that, counting was quick, and returns flowed in rapidly — most within the first 30 minutes after polls closed.
In the lone school board race, Steve Luikart easily brushed off a challenge by former Pasco County Department of Health director Marc Yacht to win re-election. Luikart had 73 percent of the vote, compared to 27 percent by Yacht.
Pasco County Commission, District 2
Mike Moore – 12,080 – 55%
Ken Littlefield – 6,015 – 28%
Bob Robertson – 3,721 – 17%
Pasco County Commission, District 4
Mike Wells Jr. – 29,009 – 68%
Henry Wilson Jr. – 13,553 – 32%
Pasco County School Board, District 5
Steve Luikart – 29,721 – 73%
Marc Yacht – 11,150 – 27%
Circuit Judge, 6th Circuit, Group 1
Susan St. John – 25,787 – 66%
Laura Snell – 13,522 – 34%
Circuit Judge, 6th Circuit, Group 2
Alicia Polk – 22,274 – 55%
Ken Lark – 11,769 – 29%
Alan Scott Rosenthal – 6,472 – 16%
Circuit Judge, 6th Circuit, Group 16
Kim Sharpe – 22,072 – 54%
Brian Battaglia – 18,622 – 46%
Circuit Judge, 6th Circuit, Group 21
Phil Matthey – 21,437 – 53%
Amanda Colon – 18,908 – 47%
Circuit Judge, 6th Circuit, Group 35
Bruce Boyer – 25,371 – 65%
Jon Newlon – 13,936 – 35%
