US House Of Representatives:
US Rep. Vern Buchanan coasted to victory Tuesday against a primary opponent who did not actively campaign, with over 80% of the vote. Buchanan will now face off in the general election against democrat Jan Schneider, who won against Brent King, with 76 percent of the vote.
For the state house district 73, Joe Gruters edged out former tea party leader Steve Vernon in a contentious race that featured highly combative debates and a flood of attack mailers. Gruters lead with 51% of the vote, while Vernon acquired 49%.
State Senate:
Sarasota rep. Greg Steube won a convincing victory in the crowded, and highly contentious state senate district 23 GOP primaries. Steube took the win with 31% of the votes. Doug Holder came in 2nd with 27% of the votes, and Nora Patterson was third with about 25% of the votes.
Suncoast Area:
As for local races, former Sarasota Republican club president and local insurance agent Mike Moran secured the republican nomination for the only contested Sarasota county commission seat this fall. Moran soundly defeated homeowner’s association president Frank DiCicco with 60 percent of the vote, and he faces democrat, and former Sarasota Mayor Fredd Atkins in the Nov. 8th general election. They are vying to replace outgoing commissioner Carolyn Mason, who is term limited.
In the Sarasota county school board race: Caroline Zucker won her 5th term. The 77-year-old grandmother and incumbent defeated fellow republican Teresa Mast in the district 2 race, with more than 52 percent of the vote.
In Manatee County: The county commission district 1 seat went to Priscilla Whisenant Trace. The race was to replace Larry Bustle, who chose to retire after two terms. Trace won with 40 percent of the vote, Ron Reagan in second with 31 percent, and Corie Holmes in last with 28 percent of the vote.
In district 5: voters decided to give incumbent Vanessa Baugh a second four-year term. Baugh beat challenger Kathleen Grant with 53 percent of the vote. Trace and Baugh will take the oath of office in November. They will be joined by the winners of two other commission seats in the Nov. 8th election.
Two races for the Manatee County school board will go to a runoff election on Nov. 8th, because none of the candidates won at least 50 percent of the vote on Tuesday. In district 1, Gina Messenger, and Edward Viltz, ended the night neck-and-neck, with Viltz winning 28 percent of the vote and messenger just over 27 percent.
In the district 3 Manatee County school board race: Incumbent Dave Miner won 46 percent of the vote while challenger Misty Servia came in at 37 percent
As the incumbent, Miner, who is 70 years of age, fought off repeated criticism of the board from his opponents.
Only one of three sitting North Port city commissioners seeking re-election garnered enough votes to make it to a Nov. 8th runoff: Mayor Jacqueline Moore garnered 35 percent of the vote in her bid to seek election in district 2, and will face political newcomer Christopher B. Hanks, who finished with 29 percent of the vote.
In North Port’s district 1 race, Vanessa Carusone, comes out on top with 39 percent of the vote. Carusone will face newcomer 20-year-old Cory Hutchinson, who acquired 26 percent of the vote.
And in North Port’s district 3 race, Debbie Mcdowell earned 44 percent of the vote to earn the top slot, and a runoff against Andrew Sias, who had 28 percent. By the way, this is the first election where city commission candidates were running under new requirements, approved by voters in 2012. The city was divided into five districts, with candidates required to live in the district they represent but elected citywide.
Florida Senate:
Come November, Senator Marco Rubio, and Congressman Patrick Murphy will square off in Florida after winning their senate primaries Tuesday night. Rubio secured the republican nomination for a second term after a last minute decision to seek re-election just two days before the deadline. Rubio beat out Florida businessman Carlos Beruff, the only major republican candidate to remain in the once crowded field, with 68 percent of the vote, Beruff getting only 23 percent. On the democratic side, United States Congressman Patrick Murphy beat out US Representative Alan Grayson with almost 71 percent of the vote, Grayson only getting 10 percent, and Pam Keith getting 15 percent. Murphy was endorsed by top democrats going into the race, including President Obama and Vice President Biden. Florida’s senate race could have a pivotal role in determining which party controls the senate chamber in the next term.
Be sure to stay tuned to WSNN for your updates and coverage during the November 8th general elections.
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