The votes are in and Ramsay McLauchlan is the new chairman of the Pinellas County Democratic Executive Committee. He'll take the reins of a local party that reached a new degree of organization and clout under outgoing chairwoman Toni Molinaro.

McLauchlan beat former party treasurer Mark Hanisee by 137 votes to 75. Jack Killingsworth took 20 votes.

Rick Boylan edged out one time chairman Ed Helm by 124 votes to 106 to become state committeeman. The state committeewoman post was won by Linda Lucas, who beat Bonnie Agan by 131 votes to 102. Dawn Hunter was elected the party's vice chairwoman.

Will Van Sant, Times staff writer