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Polo headed to victory over Dolgin in Hillsborough judicial race

 
Melissa "Missy" Polo, candidate for Hillsborough County Circuit Judge, Group 34. Courtesy of Melissa Polo
Melissa "Missy" Polo, candidate for Hillsborough County Circuit Judge, Group 34. Courtesy of Melissa Polo
Published Nov. 9, 2016

TAMPA — Attorney Melissa Polo was the clear victor Tuesday night in the feverish runoff election for Hillsborough Circuit Judge Group 24.

With all precincts reporting as of 8 p.m., Polo had 60.2 percent of the vote, with about 39.7 percent going to Gary Dolgin.

Dolgin and Polo emerged as the top two candidates in August in a four-way primary to replace Circuit Judge William Fuente.

The race between the two lawyers had become unusually acrimonious in recent weeks. The candidates and their supporters found themselves trading allegations of name-calling and assorted acts of disrespect.

Polo, 47, drew heavy support from the local legal community, assembling a campaign war chest of nearly $140,000. Dolgin, 52, a family law attorney, had more money, though much of it was from large personal loans to his campaign.