The Results Are In!
Amendment 1
Before getting to the City Commission races, I just want to say that as of this writing, Amendment 1 is heading for victory. Our local government has been squealing like stuck pigs in advance of this property tax cut. As of 9:13 PM this evening, it has garnered 63.5% of the vote statewide. It needs 60% to pass. Updated: Passed with 64% of the vote statewide. Alachua County voters approved by a margin of 51-49%.
At Large Seat
With all the precincts in, Thomas Hawkins, Jr. has defeated Robert Agrusa by a 65-35% margin. This race had an astonishing 35.3% turnout, more than double the usual level of participation. Updated: Margin of victory was 67-33% after early votes and absentee ballots were counted. And Turnout was 42.3%
Heading for a Runoff
Bonnie Mott won, but did not get more than 50% of the vote. She had 42% and was followed Lauren Poe, who had 35%. Bryan Harman finished last with 23%. Mott and Poe will face each other in a runoff that will be held on February 19, when there will not be a presidential primary to help boost voter turnout. This time, the turnout was 45.8%, which is even higher than the presidential contests. But District 2 usually outperforms the rest of the city. Updated: Margin pretty much unchanged. Turnout was actually 51.7%
Nuclear Devastation!
Jack Donovan’s hyperbole about the effect of the Spring Hills development on the environment turned out to be an apt description of his victory. The incumbent commissioner got 70% of the vote, while his nearest competitor, Armando Grundy, got 16%. Chris Salazar brought up the rear with 14%. Updated: Actual margin, in same order, were 71-16-13%. Turnout was 40.3%.
