Tampa Bay election results: Here’s who won local and state races

The latest vote totals by county

HILLSBOROUGH • PINELLAS • PASCO • HERNANDO • CITRUS • MANATEE • POLK

• • •

2:13 a.m.: Tampa Bay elections wind down for the night

The presidency is still unsettled, and might be for a few days. But in Tampa Bay, elections officials in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties have stopped counting ballots for the night. Most local races have been settled, and while a few are still quite close, those will have to settle another day.

It wraps a long and wild Election Day in Florida, after which there remain plenty of mail and provisional ballots left to be counted.

Over on our live analysis blog, Kirby Wilson, Steve Contorno and John Romano have been breaking down what Donald Trump’s victory in Florida means for the state’s Democratic party, as well as whether the state will be red for the foreseeable future.

And you can always still check out official vote totals in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Manatee and Polk counties.

• • •

1:55 a.m.: Mike Beltran, Traci Koster pull out wins in Florida House races

Two Florida House races on opposite ends of Hillsborough County were called for Republicans early Wednesday.

Republican Rep. Mike Beltran held 54 percent of votes against Democratic opponent Scott Hottenstein in the race for District 57, representing parts of southern Hillsborough County.

And in District 64, representing northwest Hillsborough and parts of Pinellas, Republican newcomer Traci Koster pulled out a win with 54 percent of the vote against Democrat Jessica Harrington.

• • •

1:43 a.m.: Linda Chaney appears to upset Jennifer Webb for Florida House District 69

In what would be one of the Tampa Bay area’s biggest upsets this Election Day, Republican Linda Chaney declared an apparent victory over Democrat Jennifer Webb in Florida House District 69, representing Pinellas County’s southern coast.

With all precincts reporting, but some absentee ballots yet uncounted, Chaney held about 52 percent of the vote.

“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to represent the community of District 69,” Chaney said in a statement. “This journey has introduced me to many kinds of people whom i am happy to serve. I am beyond thrilled and I am ready to get to work in Tallahassee!"

• • •

1:31 a.m.: Janet Long, Charlie Justice eke out narrow Pinellas County Commission wins

One new Pinellas County Commissioner, Rene Flowers, celebrated her win early on Tuesday. Two others had to sweat it out.

Democratic incumbent Janet Long retained her District 1 seat by about a percentage point over Republican Larry Ahearn.

“Tonight’s victory reflects the confidence Pinellas voters have in their county commission, and it reaffirms we are headed in the right direction,” Long said in a statement.

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And Democrat Charlie Justice held onto his seat in a tough battle with Republican Tammy Vasquez. Less than a percentage point separated them, although it did not initially appear tight enough to trigger a state-mandated recount.

“I really feel great and look forward to getting back to work,” Justice said. “The national partisanship trickled down more than most thought it would to local races, even though it shouldn’t have anything to do with this race.”

• • •

1:05 a.m.: Pinellas, Hernando voters back school tax measures

Pinellas and Hernando county voters showed strong support for property tax measures designed to boost teacher pay.

In Pinellas, 80 percent of voters approved a renewal of a 50-cent tax on every $1,000 of taxable value, a tax that comes up for a vote every four years. In Hernando, 62 percent of voters approved a plan to levy a $1 tax on every $1,000 of taxable value. It’s the county’s first local-option property tax increase.

“It’s an exciting day,” said Hernando school superintendent John Stratton. “I’m excited about what this says about our community and how it believes in our public school system.”

• • •

12:54 a.m.: Andrew Learned declares victory in Florida House District 59

Shortly before midnight, and with a lead of about a percentage point over his Republican opponent Michael Owen Democrat Andrew Learned declared victory in the race for the Florida House seat representing District 59, encompassing south Hillsborough County.

“We did it!” Learned tweeted. “Thank you #FL59 for believing in me! Now the real work begins.”

• • •

12:14 a.m.: Incumbents Sprowls, DiCeglie, Zika, Maggard retain Florida House seats

Four more Republican incumbents appear to be keeping their Florida House seats.

Chris Sprowls, whose District 65 represents northern Pinellas County, took home more than 61 percent of the vote over Democrat Kelly Johnson. He will be Florida’s next House Speaker.

Ardian Zika got nearly 63 percent of the votes in his District 37, covering central Pasco County. He defeated Democrat Tammy Garcia.

“I am humbled by the support received from the community,” Zika said.

Nick DiCeglie won nearly 59 percent of the vote over Democrat Patricia Plantamura in District 66, representing parts of Clearwater, Seminole and some gulf beach communities.

And Randy Maggard, whose District 38 covers eastern Pasco County, won nearly 60 percent of the vote over Democrat Brian Staver.

“I’d like to give a big ‘thank you’ to all of my supporters,” Maggard said. “Without their unwavering help, I couldn’t have done it.”

• • •

11:40 p.m.: Hillsborough sends new leaders to school board, tax office

Hillsborough residents reelected Lynn Gray to the county’s school board on Tuesday, sending her enough votes to defeat challenger Sally Harris.

But she’ll see several new faces in the next term.

Teacher Nadia Combs will replace businessman Steve Cona III as the school board’s representative for northwest Hillsborough, after she had nearly two-thirds of the votes an hour after the polls closed.

“I’m just elated,” Combs said. "As hard as I’ve worked for the campaign, I will work even harder for the students.”

Former Middleton High principal Henry Washington defeated board member Tamara Shamburger in her bid for reelection, saying he looked forward to “unifying the School Board.”

Substitute teacher Jessica Vaughn defeated Mitch Thrower to fill the seat held by Cindy Stuart, who will become the county’s lerk of court.

“I feel like the people who won tonight, we were able to express our dedication to education and to public education," Vaughn said. "We’ll be able to work together and make some great things happen.”

Over in the race for Hillsborough County tax collector, Nancy Millan will replace her old boss, Doug Belden, defeating TK Mathew.

“I am honored and humbled to take on this responsibility as the new Hillsborough County Tax Collector, especially being the first woman and the first Latina to take on this position,” she said. “I am ready to start on day one. I can’t wait.”

Elsewhere in Hillsborough County, Property Appraiser Bob “Coach” Henriquez claimed victory over his challenger, D.C. Goutoufas.

“I’m humbled, as I always am,” Henriquez said. “I look at these races every four years as a job interview, and the voters of Hillsborough County have hired me for another four years to continue the fine work our office has been able to do over the past two terms.”

• • •

11:20 p.m.: Incumbents Latvala, Ingoglia, McClure, Valdes retain Florida House seats

More incumbents — three Republican and one Democrat — have held onto their seats in the Florida House.

Republican Chris Latvala handily defeated Democrat Dawn Douglas to keep his position serving areas of central Pinellas County in District 67.

Republican Lawrence McClure will hold onto his seat representing District 58, encompassing much of northeast Hillsborough County. He defeated Democrat Cleo L. “CL” Townsend Jr.

Republican Blaise Ingoglia retained his seat in District 35, encompassing most of Hernando County. He handily defeated Democrat Keith G. Laufenberg.

Democratic incumbent Susan Valdes defeated Republican Angel Urbina Capo and Laurie Rodriguez-Person, who did not have a party affiliation, in the race to represent West Tampa in District 62.

• • •

10:55 p.m.: Vern Buchanan, Daniel Webster retain Congressional seats

Two Republican incumbents have retained their seats in Congress.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, whose District 16 represents Sarasota, Manatee and parts of southern Hillsborough counties, won reelection over Democrat Margaret Good. It was a seat Democrats thought they had a shot at flipping.

“I’m honored to be the people’s voice in Congress for another two years,” Buchanan said in a statement.

Farther north, Republican Rep. Daniel Webster also will keep his seat in Congress, winning Hernando County’s District 11 over Democrat Dana Cottrell.

• • •

10:40 p.m.: Florida Senate: Jim Boyd, Darryl Rouson, Danny Burgess win races

Republican Jim Boyd, a former member of the Florida House, has won the race for state Senate District 21, encompassing Manatee and southern Hillsborough counties. Boyd defeated 23-year-old teacher Anthony “Tony” Eldon.

Two incumbents have also won reelection to the state Senate.

Democrat Darryl Rouson will return to Tallahassee, representing Pinellas and Hillsborough counties in District 19. He defeated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Christina Paylan.

And in Danny Burgess defeated Democrat Kathy Lewis to retain Republicans' hold on District 20, representing parts of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties. Burgess fills the seat vacated upon the retirement of Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d have the opportunity to serve in the state Senate,” Burgess said. “It’s truly amazing and we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

As a result of Tuesday’s races, Republicans will maintain control of the Florida Senate.

• • •

10:25 p.m.: Pinellas, Pasco, schools and commissions get a mix of new and familiar faces

Results are coming in for school and county leaders in Pasco and Pinellas counties.

In Pinellas, Caprice Edmond claimed victory in her race for the District 7 seat on the Pinellas County, School Board, toppling political veteran Karl Nurse. Her apparent win means the board will maintain some racial diversity; the seat has been held by an African American member for decades.

“I’m extremely grateful for the support of the people,” she said. “We can do so much for the children that are in our schools. They are counting on having an advocate for doing what is right, and I am looking forward to it.”

Parent activist Laura Hine held a solid lead over private school teacher Stephanie Meyer for the board’s open at-large seat.

“I feel humbled and I feel grateful that the people of Pinellas have asked me to serve in this role," Hine said. "I’m excited to do the work.”

On the Pinellas County Commission, Rene Flowers held onto her District 7 seat against Marcia Scruggs.

“I’m feeling elated, I can relax and take a deep breath, but I am just really ready to get to work,” Flowers said.

In Pasco County, two Republican incumbents, Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano, were reelected to the county commission. Starkey held onto her District 3 seat over Jessica Stempien, while Mariano held off two opponents, Democrat Brandi Geoit and Victor Rodriguez, who has no party affiliation.

Also in Pasco, Kurt Browning has won a third term as the county’s superintendent of schools.

“I think the voters like the direction that the district is headed,” he said Tuesday night. “I think it’s just confirmation of what we’ve done for the last eight years.”

10:10 p.m.: Ben Diamond, Ralph E. Massullo Jr. among Florida House representatives reelected

Democrat Ben Diamond has defeated Republican Mike Tito to retain his seat in the Florida House, representing St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park in District 68.

“We’ve got enormous challenges as a state and nation, with the pandemic and economy,” he said. “My hope is, once this election is past, we can find ways to come together and work across the aisle.”

Ralph E. Massullo Jr. also won reelection to his District 34 House seat, representing Citrus and north-central Hernando County. The Republican defeated Democrat Dushyant Gosai.

• • •

9:55 p.m.: Charlies W. Thomas, Mike Twitty, Julie Marcus retain key Pinellas roles

Charles W. Thomas and Mike Twitty aren’t going anywhere.

Turner, a Republican, will retain his job of Pinellas County tax collector over Democratic challenger Joseph Saportas.

“I am really honored to be able to continue serving my residents,” said Thomas, who has held the role since 2016. “I have the best tax collector’s office in the state of Florida, and with them we can do anything.”

Meanwhile, Republican Mike Twitty will stay on as Pinellas County property appraiser, holding an unofficial but healthy lead over Democratic challenger Trevor Mallory.

And Pinellas Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus -- who presided over a record vote tally for the county this year -- won reelection with 56 percent of the vote over Dan Helm.

“I’m beside myself,” Marcus, 44, said. It’s one of the most humbling experiences ever. You have voters putting their trust in you."

• • •

9:42 p.m.: Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister poised for reelection

With all precincts reporting, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister is likely to keep his job winning 55 percent of the vote over retired law enforcement officers Gary Pruitt and Ron McMullen.

“I’m feeling very good,” Chronister said by phone from a watch party at the Tampa Museum of Art just before 8 p.m. “I feel confident and very grateful and humbled.”

• • •

9:35 p.m.: Andrew Warren likely to return as Hillsborough State Attorney

It’s not over, but both sides have agreed Andrew Warren is likely to be reelected state attorney for Hillsborough County.

“We’re excited by the win and energized by the fact that Hillsborough County supports what was accomplished over the past four years and supports the vision I have for the next four,” Warren said.

Said Warren’s opponent Mike Perotti: "I’m absolutely humbled and so appreciative of all the support. I’m proud of what we did and I’m proud of the support we did garner.”

• • •

9:25 p.m.: Pat Kemp, Gwen Myers, Harry Cohen elected to Hillsborough commission

After jumping out to early leads, Pat Kemp, Gwen Myers and Harry Cohen have been elected to the Hillsborough County Commission.

Democrat Myers, representing District 3, cruised to victory over Maura Cruz Lanz and will succeed Les Miller Jr. Cohen appeared to flip District 1 from Republican to Democrat with a tight victory over Scott Levinson, although Levinson said Tuesday night that he was not yet ready to concede defeat. And Democrat Pat Kemp held onto her narrow majority over Sandra Murman for a countywide seat.

"I feel very proud of what we did,'' Kemp said

9:15 p.m.: Scott Franklin keeps Florida’s District 15 Congressional seat red

Lakeland City Commissioner Scott Franklin claimed victory over Alan Cohn in the heated race for Florida’s District 15 Congressional seat, preventing the Democrats from flipping the longtime Republican seat last held by Ross Spano.

With most unofficial precincts in, Franklin held a lead of 56 percent to 44 percent over Cohn.

• • •

9:08 p.m.: Bob Gualtieri reelected Pinellas County Sheriff

It was a race that attracted a lot of attention, but the expected outcome prevailed: Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has been reelected over former sheriff’s employee Eliseo Santana by a decisive 63-37 margin.

“It says a lot about the what the community thinks that we’ve done and accomplished,” Gualtieri said Tuesday night.

• • •

8:55 p.m.: Julie Ward Bujalski reelected Dunedin mayor

Julie Ward Bujalski has been reelected mayor of Dunedin, according to unofficial returns. She had faced opposition from her vice mayor, Heather Gracy, who had been appointed to that post by the Dunedin City Commission.

Speaking of: Former Dunedin City Commissioner John Tornga will take back his seat, defeating veteran law enforcement officer Mike Quill.

• • •

8:47 p.m.: Florida House incumbents Jackie Toledo, Amber Mariano poised for wins

After a hard-fought race. Jackie Toledo appears to have won reelection to Florida’s 60th House district over entrepreneur Julie Jenkins.

“Hard work pays off,” she said via text. “I am so grateful for my constituents, my family and God for allowing the opportunity to serve my community.”

Meanwhile, Republican Amber Mariano looked poised to return for a third term representing Florida’s District 34 House seat.

• • •

8:40 p.m.: AP: Kathy Castor wins reelection to Congress

Kathy Castor will return to Congress to represent the city of Tampa.

The Associated Press has projected that Castor will defeat Republican Christine Quinn to keep her seat in Florida’s District 14. Castor was first elected in 2006.

• • •

8:35 p.m.: Hillsborough: Early County Commission results coming in

Three Hillsborough County Commission seats are up for grabs this election.

Democrat Gwen Myers looked like a solid bet for a seat early on, carrying a 3-to-1 lead in District 3 over Republican Maura Cruz Lanz. In District 1, Democrat Harry Cohen held a slight lead over Republican Scott Levinson for a seat that’s been GOP-held for 14 years. And in the countywide race, Democrat Pat Kemp was up on Republican Sandra Murman with a narrow majority of the vote.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled,” Kemp said. “I’m looking forward to the next four years.”

Elsewhere in Hillsborough, Democrat Nancy Millan, a longtime staffer of retiring tax collector Doug Belden, jumped out to a lead over Republican TK Mathew in the race to replace her old boss.

• • •

8:20 p.m.: Scott Franklin leads in tough race for Ross Spano’s seat in Congress

In one of the most-watched Congressional races in Florida, Republican Scott Franklin held a narrow early lead over Democrat Alan Cohn in District 15.

The race to replace Ross Spano as the representative for parts of Hillsborough, Polk and Lake counties has been one of Democrats' better hopes of taking an increasingly purple district from reliably red to blue.

As of 8 p.m., Franklin had 53 percent of the vote to Cohn’s 47.

• • •

8:11 p.m.: AP: Gus Bilirakis wins reelection to Congress

The Associated Press has called another local congressional race: Gus Bilirakis has won District 12, covering northern Pinellas and Hillsborough and all of Pasco County.

The Republican incumbent had faced Democrat Kimberly Walker.

8:01 p.m.: AP: Charlie Crist defeats Anna Paulina Luna

The Associated Press has called it: Democrat Charlie Crist has defeated veteran and conservative commentator Anna Paulina Luna in the race for Florida’s 13th congressional district, covering Pinellas County south of Dunedin.

Luna had been a conservative favorite, even ending up on the receiving end of several endorsement tweets from President Donald Trump.

Read more about the race here.

• • •

7:57 p.m.: Florida Senate, House: Darryl Rouson, Susan Valdes among incumbents with early leads

Democrat incumbent Darryl Rouson leaped to a huge early lead over challenger Christina Paylan, a cosmetic surgeon listed as having no party affiliation, in the race for Florida Senate District 19.

In the Florida House, several more incumbents came out with strong early leads.

Republican Ralph E. Massullo Jr. held a lead of more than 20 points over challenger Dushyant Gosai in the race for District 34, covering Citrus and north-central Hernando counties.

Democratic Susan Valdes held a large early lead over Republican Angel Urbina Capo and Laurie Rodriguez-Person, who has no party affiliation, in a race for District 62, representing West Tampa.

In eastern Pasco County’s District 38, Randy Maggard jumped to a lead over Democrat Brian Staver.

And in non-incumbent news, in south Hillsborough County’s District 59, Democrat Andrew Learned has an early lead in the race for Republican Michael Owen in the race to replace Adam Hattersly.

• • •

7:40 p.m.: Chad Chronister, Bob Gualtieri jump out ahead in Tampa Bay sheriff’s races

So far, things are holding steady in the races for Tampa Bay’s law enforcement leadership.

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, one of the highest profile lawmen in the country, jumped out to an early 61 percent to 38 percent lead over challenger Eliseo Santana, with partial mail ballots and about 19 percent of precincts counted.

In Hillsborough, Sheriff Chad Chronister had a smaller but still healthy lead over two candidates, Gary Pruitt and Ron McMullen.

Also in Tampa, Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren jumped out ahead in his bid for reelection against challenger Mike Perotti.

• • •

7:32 p.m.: Florida House races: Incumbents Ben Diamond, Chris Latvala, Chris Sprowls lead early

Judging by the early-voting numbers, incumbents are doing well in Florida’s House races.

In District 68, covering downtown St. Petersburg to Feather Sound and Pinellas Park, Democrat Ben Diamond started out with a lead over Republican Mike Tito.

In District 67, covering parts of Largo and Clearwater, Republican political scion Chris Latvala held a tight early lead over challenger Dawn Douglas.

In District 65, covering north Pinellas County, Republican incumbent Chris Sprowls held a lead over Democrat Kelly Johnson. If he wins, he’ll become Florida’s next House speaker.

In District 37 in central Pasco County, Republican Ardian Zika had a sizeable lead over Democrat Tammy Garcia.

One incumbent clinging to a narrow early lead was Republican Jackie Toledo, representing District 60, covering South Tampa and western Hillsborough County. She held a four-percentage-point lead over Democratic challenger Julie Jenkins.

• • •

7:18 p.m.: Pinellas, Pasco schools: Browning, Edmond, Hine take early leads

As counties sort through huge numbers of early ballots, a few races are already shaping up.

Pasco County school superintendent Kurt Browning has taken an early lead against his challenger, a Bayonet Point Middle School teacher Cynthia Thompson.

And in Pinellas County, Fairmount Park Elementary science coach Caprice Edmond, a political newcomer, jumped out to an early lead for a Pinellas County School Board seat over longtime Pinellas official Karl Nurse.

Elsewhere on the Pinellas school board, parent activist Laura Hine started out with a lead over private school teacher Stephanie Meyer.

• • •

7 p.m.: Local polls have closed

The polls are closed in the Tampa Bay area. Up in the Panhandle, some precincts will be open another hour. But locally, you can expect initial results soon.

• • •

6:40 p.m.: Welcome to the election night live blog

Around 9 million Floridians (and counting) voted early. Millions more headed to the polls today. We’re not far away from learning the big winners of Election Day 2020.

We’ll be here all night sharing local results for key races in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Manatee and Polk counties. From county commission and sheriff’s races to several competitive congressional battles (Charlie Crist vs. Anna Paulina Luna, the open race to replace Ross Spano), we’ll have the winners as they come in.

Our journalists were out before polls opened this morning, talking to some of the hundreds of voters who lined up to cast their votes first thing. Check out our live blog from today to catch up on what’s happened, including a visit from Jill Biden, a Tampa judge’s lawsuit asking the state not to certify election results, and a federal judge’s order for U.S. Postal Service employees to scour their facilities for undelivered ballots.

In Florida, elections officials must receive mail ballots by 7 p.m. local to ensure they’re counted. If you haven’t already done so, you’re cutting it close, but you still have time. Here’s how to drop off your ballot on Election Day, no matter where you live in Tampa Bay.

Florida allows elections supervisors to begin counting early and mail ballots in advance, which means we should see some initial results within about a half-hour of polls closing. But the full count on all races will take days as the state tabulates oversees and absentee ballots.

Check back often all night. We’ll have the latest updates for you at the top.

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