Martin and St Lucie Election results
The elections ended with some very surprising results, not just locally but statewide as well. Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee came out of nowhere to win the Democratic nomination for Governor. Gillum defeated Gwen Graham, who was considered to be the front-runner.
Gillum will face off against Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis, who easily defeated Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.
Congressman Brian Mast easily won his party’s nomination. The incumbent will face off against Lauren Baer, who defeated Pam Keith.
Gayle Harrell defeated Belinda Keiser for Florida Senate District 25. She will face Democrat Robert Levy in the general. In the race to fill Harrell’s old seat, Palm City environmental consultant Toby Overdorf defeated Port St Lucie attorney Sasha Dadan.
Democrat Delores Johnson will face Republican Mark Gotz for Florida State Rep District 84, the seat left empty by Larry Lee.
In Martin County races, incumbents struggled to win reelection. School board member Rebecca Negron was defeated by newcomer Victoria Deenthaler, 56-44%.
Both Stuart City Commissioners lost their races. Mike Meier defeated incumbent Nick Blount. Blount had been appointed to his seat earlier this year after Commissioner Tom Campeni was forced to resign. And in what might have been the biggest surprise of the night, Commissioner Troy McDonald was defeated by Merritt Matheson.
The only incumbent to win reelection was County Commissioner Sarah Heard.
Of the two referendums on the ballot, the half-mil property tax increase was approved by Martin County voters. The money will be used to help pay for teachers pay and security improvements at the schools. And the Hobe Sound incorporation movement failed. Two thirds of voters said they did not want to incorporate.
In St Lucie County, the incumbent’s had a much better night. Incumbent Anthony Bonna won his County Commission race. And all three school board incumbents won reelection. Debbie Hawley and Donna Mills both earned over 60% of the vote. Troy Ingersoll was in a much closer race, but still won with 51%. St Lucie County voters clearly approved of the way the school district has been improving over the years. Meanwhile, Port St Lucie City Council incumbent Shannon Martin won reelection, as did Fort Pierce City Commissioner Rufus Alexander.
Voter turnout was high yesterday for a midterm. Some people say it was the school tax referendum, the Hobe Sound incorporation measure, and several high profile races that helped bring people out. I don’t think so. I think people voted for the water.
Turnout in St Lucie County wasn’t as high, but still better than in previous years. Turnout for Martin County was 36%, and St Lucie County was 27%. During the 2014 midterm primaries, turnout was just 25 and 19% respectively.
