Tonya Moten (from left), Sami Leigh Scott and Maria Scruggs-Weston react to the news that Barack Obama won the presidency at Kizmet Old School Cafe in St. Petersburg Tuesday. [Lara Cerri, Times]

Wileen Weaver, 53 weeps at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum on Tuesday evening, after Senator Barack Obama was confirmed as the 44th President of the United States of America. She called to share the moment with her best friend. "I grew up with colored and white bathrooms. I thank God for this day," said Weaver. (Willie J. Allen Jr., Times)

Democrat Kevin Beckner hugs Campaign Chairman for the Hillsborough Democratic Party Deborah Cope at Gaspar's Grotto in Ybor City. He was ahead in his race against Republican incumbent Brian Blair in the District 6 Hillsborough County Commission race, but all votes had not been counted. [Cherie diez, Times]

Maureen Helm and her son, Zachary Helm, 11, of Palm Harbor watch John McCain concede during the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee and McCain-Palin 2008 election night party at the Hilton in Carillon Park. [Chris Zuppa, Times]

Democrat Kevin Beckner takes a supporter's call at Gaspar's Grotto in Ybor City while watching election results. Next to him is campaign chairman for the Hillsborough Democratic Party, Deborah Cope . Beckner was ahead 51 to 49 with 126 precincts reporting. Results were stuck at this point for about an hour. [Cherie Diez, Times]

Jane Hofstra, left, and Paula Solaski, both of Largo, watch election results during the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee election party at the Hilton in Carillon Park."Well, I expected more," Hofstra said. "McCain and Palin gave wondeful campaign rallies."

Representative Kathy Castor with her daughter Julia Lewis at the Florida Campaign for Change election night event at the Tampa Waterside Marriott in Tampa. [Marth Rial, Times]

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is greeted by Fran Neilson of Plant City on election night at St. Nicholas Hall. Bilirakis is up against William "Bill" Mitchell.. Neilson, a democrat, supports Bilirakis because she says "his work in Congress is excellent. He looks out for America's families." [Atoyia Deans, Times]

Jane Chapin of St. Petersburg watches election results during the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee election party at the Hilton in Carillon Park on Tuesday.  "I still believe he's going to win," Chapin, an artist, said of McCain. "This is about turn-out. This is about every single vote." [Chris Zuppa, Times]

County Commission District 5 Republican incumbent Karen Seel, head back, reacts as her victory is announced while surrounded by supporters at the Island Way Grill in Clearwaater, including friend Christina Daily, standing next to her. [Douglas R. Clifford, Times]

Pinellas County Sheriff's Sgt. Denis Scott (left) congratulates Sheriff Jim Coats at an election night party at the Sheraton Sand Key in Clearwater. [ Jim Damaske, Times]

 
David McCallister of Wesley Chapel watches presidential election results during the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee  election night party at the Hilton in Carillon Park on Tuesday. "We're very happy with the local sweep of Pinellas County," McCallister said. "Can't be nervous," he added of the presidential race. "It's going to be what it's going to be. I've done my part. I voted." [Chris Zuppa, Times]

Nancy Bostock celebrates her victory in the Pinellas County Commissioners race during the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee and McCain-Palin 2008 Election Night Party at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park on Tuesday.  [Chris Zuppa, Times]

Nancy Bostock (left) hugs her mother, Judy Haines of Clearwater (cq) during the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee and McCain-Palin 2008 Election Night Party at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park. [Chris Zuppa, Times]

Property Appraiser candidate Pam Dubov (right) is congratulated Cat Coats wife of Sheriff Jim Coats at the Sheraton Sand Key in Clearwater while at an election night party to watch returns. [Jim Damaske,Times]

Deborah Clark, in white shirt, is congratulated by family friend Ann Duncan, right, as the two say goodbye to each other at the Elections Service Center in Largo Tuesday evening. Duncan stopped by to show her support for Clark. "Deborah's a role model," Duncan said. [James Borchuck, Times]

Pinellas District 1 School Board incumbent Janet Clark declares victory over Jennifer Crockett with the help of Kizmet Old School Cafe owner Ray Tampa in St. Petersburg on Tuesday night.  [Lara Cerri, Times]

Volunteer Manuel Baez, of Westchase, cheers when Sen. Barack Obama takes the lead in Florida at the  Florida Campaign for Change statewide Election Night event at the Tampa Waterside Marriott in Tampa.  [Martha Rial, Times]

Democratic Property Appraiser candidate Ben Friedlander speaks with supporters shortly before conceding his race for office to his opponent Pam Dubov. Friedlander watched election returns at Midtown Sundries restaurant in St. Petersburg on November 4, 2008.  [Edmund Fountain, Times]

Rene Flowers (left) watches election results with supporters at Great Explorations Children's Museum on Tuesday, 11/04/2008. Also pictured (left to right) Scott Wagman, Gerald Syrkett, and David Sockol all of St. Petersburg. [Chris Zuppa, Times]

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is greeted by George Costage on election night at St. Nicholas Hall. Bilirakis is up against William "Bill" Mitchell. [Atoyia Deans, Times]

Pinellas District 1 School Board Incumbent Janet Clark high fives Sami Leigh Scott as the two watch results come in for Barack Obama at Kizmet Old School Cafe in St. Petersburg Tuesday. Shortly after this moment, local results came in and Clark declared victory over Jennifer Crockett in the race for the school board.  [Lara Cerri, Times]

Randall Jones with his wife Lisa (left) watches returns on a laptop at his election party at Applebee's restaurant in Largo Tuesday night. [Jim Damaske, Times]

A man who would only give his name as "Uncle Sam," salutes to motorists at the intersection of 4th Street North and 5th Avenue North in St. Petersburg on election day at 2:15pm. "I'm not partial to any one candidate. I just want people to get out and vote, " said "Uncle Sam."  [Scott Keeler, Times]

Left to Right: Barack Obama "Get Out the Vote," precinct workers Michael Harrison, St. Petersburg, and Tim Wu, New York City, order free "Chick-fil-A," sandwiches at the Chick-fil-A Restaurant at 4241 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, on election day. The restaurant chain was offering a free "Chick-fil-A," sandwich to each customer that voted. "It's been a great promotion for the restaurant," said owner David Neely. "We've been swamped since this morning," he said. "Everyone has been joining in, in the great feeling of the election." The promotion continues until 9pm Tuesday night when the business closes, said Neely. [Scott Keeler, Times]

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist talks with reporters after voting Tuesday at the Coliseum Ballroom in St. Petersburg.  (Scott Keeler, Times)

Voters wait in a line that curved through the parking lot of the Campbell Park Recreation Center in St. Petersburg at 7 a.m. (Scott Keeler, Times)

About 200 people were in line as the doors opened at the Campbell Park center. (Scott Keeler, Times)

A man makes use of a folding seat while in line at Campbell Park. (Scott Keeler, Times)

The early-morning crowd waits at Precincts 167 and 168 at Roberts Recreation Center, 1246 50th Ave N in St. Petersburg at about 7:20 a.m. (Cherie Diez, Times)

Voters wait for Precinct 705 in Tarpon Springs to open on Tuesday. The precinct votes in the fellowship hall at the First Baptist Church. (Jim Damaske, Times)

Signs are displayed in a yard on First Avenue N in St. Petersburg across the street from polling place at the Pilgrim Congregational Church on Tuesday morning. (Scott Keeler, Times)

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