Author: Gary Nager

Every Presidential Election year, a lot of people who never vote otherwise head to the ballot box (or, these days, their mailbox) to cast a ballot for the first time in four years on the first Tuesday of November, only to never cast another vote for another four years. 

And, it seems, that even though there are always candidates and state and local amendments to vote for in November, the vast majority of residents in most communities don’t bother to find out anything about those candidates or ballot measures because they have no intention of voting in a November election in a non-presidential year. Even fewer cast ballots in August Primary Elections. 

And yes, even fewer City of Tampa residents cast ballots in Tampa’s Municipal Elections in March of odd-numbered years. 

The thing that boggles my mind is that although those elected to serve in the White House and Congress are important, they honestly have a lot less to do with most of our day-to-day lives than those who serve in the State Legislature, County Commission, School Board and City Council. Most of us can’t call the President for any reason, nor can we regularly attend a session of Congress, but you can get your state and local elected officials on the phone to express your opinion, ask for help on an issue affecting you or your family and regularly attend County Commission, School Board and City Council meetings to have your opinions heard on roads, parks and development projects, whether in your own backyard or that affect the entire city, county or school district. And yes, a trip to Tallahassee to speak your mind to your Florida legislators is a lot easier than flying up to Washington, DC, and being anything other than a spectator. 

But, even though I’ve been saying the same thing in these pages for a little more than 30 years now, all I still hear people talking about when they discuss politics are the “orange guy” who used to be president and the “doddering old man” who holds that office now. And, anytime I ask people if they plan to vote in August, when School Board members and County Commissioners facing a primary opponent but no opposition party opponent in November are elected, the familiar — and painful — refrain is, “I only vote in the big elections.” To which my only response, after three decades of the same thing being said, is now just “Yeesh.” 

So, why do I even bother to keep trying? Because I still believe that if I can convince even one person who otherwise wouldn’t have cast a vote in these important local elections, the effort is still worth it. 

To that end, while I don’t expect to change anyone’s mind about voting in the Primary Election on Tuesday, August 20, I do hope that some of you will take a look at the candidates and issues on the ballot and decide to take five minutes of your time — whether you vote by mail, vote early at the New Tampa Regional Library or walk into your nearby polling place on Aug. 20 — and get involved in the local political scene, rather than just complain about it. 

Anyway, I’m off my soapbox, but here are some of the races that either will be determined or at least partially determined in the Primary Election: 

Clerk of Circuit Court — Former County Commissioner and State Representative (and Tampa Palms resident) Victor Crist faces off against retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Melony Williams in the Republican primary to see who faces Democratic incumbent — and former School Board member — Cindy Stuart. 

County Commissioner, District 2 — Incumbent Ken Hagan, who has served on the Commission since 2002, faces a Republican primary opponent in land use activist and Odessa resident Melissa Nordbeck for the right to face Democratic candidate and New Tampa resident Patricia Altagracia Alonzo in November. 

County Commissioner, District 6 — Long-time New Tampa resident and activist Dr. Jim Davison faces long-time Hillsborough firefighter Chris Boles in the Republican primary for this countywide seat. In November, the winner will face the winner of Sean Shaw vs. Joseph Ryan Taylor in the Democratic primary. 

School Board Member, District 3 — Incumbent and Tampa Palms resident Jessica Vaughn, a former classroom and substitute teacher, faces Myosha Powell in this non-partisan race (meaning that it is open to voters in all parties). Powell’s website says her mission “is to be the parents’ ally.” 

School Board Member, District 7 — Incumbent and career educator Lynn Gray faces three challengers in middle school teacher Karen Bendorf, Johnny “Principal” Bush (who led Robinson and Plant high schools) and architectural designer Jen Flebotte in this District-wide non-partisan election. 

U.S. Senator — Republican incumbent Rick Scott faces two primary opponents in August — John S. Columbus and Keith Gross. The Democratic primary includes former Congresswoman Debbie Mucasel-Powell, former Congressman Alan Grayson, Stanley Campbell, Joseph Rod and Brian Rush. 

U.S. Congress, District 15 — Incumbent Republican Laurel Lee faces Jennifer Barbosa and James Judge in an August primary. The winner faces former Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, who is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. 

Hillsborough State Attorney — Andrew Warren, who was removed from this office by Gov. DeSantis, faces off against Tampa lawyer Elizabeth Martinez for the Democratic nomination. The winner faces Warren’s DeSantis-appointed Republican replacement, former Hillsborough judge Suzy Lopez. 

Also, although the race won’t be decided until November 5, incumbent Dist. 67 Democratic State Rep. and House Minority leader Fentrice Driskell faces a rematch against Republican candidate Lt. Col. Lisette Bonano, a New Tampa resident. 

Here are some important dates coming up: 

Deadline to Register to Vote in Primary Election or Change Party Affiliation: Monday, July 22 

Early Voting Dates for the Primary Election: Monday, August 5-Sunday, August 18 

Primary Election Day: Tuesday, August 20, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.