Voters streamed into Precinct 595 at the Lutz Civic Center on Nov. 6 to cast their ballots in 2018 midterms.
They were just as eager to make their voice known at Precinct 6, the Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills.
They came by bicycle, pick-up truck and SUV at Precinct 48 at the Meadow Pointe IV Clubhouse in Wesley Chapel.
And, they took advantage of early voting at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library in Land O’ Lakes.
Whether they were first-time voters, or have voted for decades, these voters made it a point to exercise their right to take part in the political process.
As The Laker/Lutz News went to press this week, the winner was still unknown in the race for the U.S. Senate, which pits Republican challenger Rick Scott, Florida’s current governor, against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson in the U.S. Senate race.
The outcome also remains unknown between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum in the bid to become Florida’s next governor.
And, there’s uncertainty, as well, regarding who will be Florida’s next Agricultural Commissioner, in a race between Matt Caldwell and Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried.
All three of those races were so close that they required state-mandated recounts.
Still, voters decided plenty of races and issues in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.
Pasco County voters selected incumbent Republican Pasco County Commissioners Mike Moore and Mike Wells for additional four-year terms. Moore defeated Democratic challenger Kelly Smith and Wells defeated Democratic challenger Brandi Geoit.
Voters also chose Megan Harding to replace Steve Luikart, who is retiring from the Pasco County School Board. In a nonpartisan race, Harding defeated Tara M. O’ Connor in a runoff.
Harding now joins Cynthia Armstrong and Allen Altman, who won their bids for re-election during the 2018 primary.
Pasco voters also approved four general obligation bond issues, with the bond issue to support a jail expansion passing by the thinnest margin. The three other approved bond issues will support expanded fire/rescue services, upgraded parks and recreation opportunities, and improved libraries.
In Hillsborough County, voters elected four county commissioners. Those winning seats are Republican Ken Hagan who defeated Democrat Angela Birdsong, in District 2; incumbent Republican Stacy White who defeated Democrat Andrew Davis, in District 4; Democrat Mariella Smith who defeated Republican Commissioner Victor Crist, in District 5; and Democrat Kimberly Overman defeated Republican Todd Marks in District 7.
Smith and Overman are newcomers to the board, which for the first time since 2004 has a Democratic majority.
Hillsborough voters also chose two new school board members, in a nonpartisan election.
Steve Cona defeated William Henry Person in District 1. Cona is replacing Susan Valdes.
Karen Perez defeated Henry “Shake” Washington in District 6. Perez is replacing April Griffin.
Incumbent Republican Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister won another term, defeating Democrat Gary Pruitt.
Hillsborough County voters also approved two new taxes, a 1-cent tax for transportation and a ½-cent tax to pay for air conditioning and other projects in Hillsborough County Schools.
At the federal level, incumbent Republican Gus Bilirakis defeated Democrat Chris Hunter to receive another term representing Florida’s 12th congressional district.
Voters also elected a number of state lawmakers representing communities within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.
In the State Senate, Incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson defeated Democrat Michael Cottrell for re-election in District 10, while incumbent Republican Tom Lee defeated Democrat Kathy Lewis for re-election to District 20.
Voters also elected numerous state representatives, including incumbent Republican Amber Mariano who defeated Democrat Linda Jack in District 36; Republican Ardian Zika who defeated Democrat Tammy Garcia in District 37; incumbent Republican Danny Burgess who defeated No Party Affiliation David “TK” Hayes in District 38; Democrat Fentrice Driskell who defeated incumbent Republican Shawn Harrison in District 63; and, Republican James Grant who defeated Democrat Jessica Harrington in District 64.
Statewide, voters approved 11 of 12 amendments to Florida’s Constitution, with a proposed amendment to increase the Homestead Property Tax Exemption failing to garner more than 60 percent voter approval. The amendment received 58.07 percent of the vote.
Amendments that passed covered myriad issues, ranging from increased victims’ rights; to prohibiting offshore gas and oil drilling, to restoring voter rights to former felons; to ending dog racing.
Published November 14, 2018
