All over Hillsborough County, Florida and the U.S. political activists and candidates gathered to watch the polls during watch parties on Election Day.
Locally, voters reelected Republican Congressman Dennis Ross to represent U.S. House District 15 against Alan Cohn. Ross held his watch party at The Imperial Swan Hotel in Lakeland. He garnered a 3-2 majority and was optimistic with his wife by his side before the final tallies came in.
“I’m excited,” Ross said. “We ran a very upbeat, positive, solution-oriented campaign. Now we just have to deliver on it the next two years.”
Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham also claimed a win, but it was a close race between him and Democrat Patricia Kemp for the District 7 seat. He gathered with friends, family and supporters at the Hilton in downtown Tampa.
“This is the culmination of many months of work by hundreds of volunteers who have given their time,” Higginbotham said as the results poured in.
Among other victories include Gov. Rick Scott, who narrowly beat former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist. Attorney General Pam Bondi will return for another term, defeating Plant City native George Sheldon. Both Scott and Bondi stopped at Parkesdale Farm Market on the eve of Election Day to meet with constituents during their trek up the I-4 corridor.
Florida voters said ‘no’ to Amendment 2, which would allow the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions. An amendment requires 60% of the vote to pass.
County Commissioner District 2 Victor Crist (REP): 56.19% Elizabeth Belcher (DEM):43.81% Total Votes: 99,813 County Commissioner District 4 Stacy White (REP): 95.93% Write In: 4.07% Total Votes: 77,511 County Commissioner District 7 Al Higginbotham (REP): 50.45% Patricia Kemp (DEM): 49.55% Total votes: 345,134 School Board District 2 Sally Harris: 52.54% Michelle Popp Shimberg: 47.46% Total Votes: 74,496 School Board District 4 Terry Kemple: 46.4% Melissa Snively: 53.6% Total Votes: 67,709 School Board District 6 April Griffin: 65% Dipa Shah: 35% Total Votes: 312,815