Considering the contentious state of politics in our state and country these days, it shouldn’t be too hard to understand why this is one of the most important non-Presidential General Elections in recent memory.
On the ballot for those of you who live in New Tampa, in addition to races for U.S. Senator, a new Representative in the U.S. Congress and Governor of Florida, are also-important races for the State Senate (as well as State Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Chief Financial officer), Florida House and three Hillsborough County Commission seats up for grabs. If that’s not enough, there also is a one-percent surtax to pay for county transportation improvements and three State Constitutional Amendments on the ballot.
However, considering New Tampa’s long-standing reputation for not turning out for anything other than elections for U.S. President, it remains to be seen if the voters at our precincts can duplicate New Tampa’s turnout — which actually beat the countywide turnout — for the 2018 midterm election (64.7%-61.6%).
Below are the biggest races on the Nov. 8 ballot. Please note that we did not have space for the entire ballot, but you should have your official Sample Ballot by the time this issue reaches you.
NEW TAMPA’S NOVEMBER 8 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT
County Commission District 2
Ken Hagan (REP; Incumbent)
Angela Birdsong (REP)
County Commission District 5 (Countywide)
Donna Cameron Cepeda (REP)
Mariella Smith (DEM; Incumbent)
County Commission District 7 (Countywide)
Joshua Wostal (REP)
Kimberly Overman (DEM; Incumbent)
County Court Judge, Group 14
(Nonpartisan Election)
Melissa Black
Mike Isaak
Hillsborough County Referendum — Funding for Countywide Transportation Improvements by Levy of One Percent Sales Surtax
Should transportation improvements be funded throughout Hillsborough County, including Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood and Town n’ Country, including projects that:
— Build and widen roads,
— Fix roads and bridges,
— Expand public transit options,
— Fix potholes,
— Enhance bus services,
— Improve intersections, and
— Make walking and Biking safer
By levying a one percent sales surtax for 30 years and funds deposited in an audited trust fund with citizen oversight?
Yes or No
U.S. Senator
Marco Rubio (REP; Incumbent)
Val Demings (DEM)
Dennis Misigoy (LPF)
Steven B. Grant (NPA)
Tuan TQ Nguyen (NPA)
Representative in U.S. Congress, District 15
Laurel Lee (REP)
Alan M. Cohn (DEM)
Governor & Lieutenant Governor
Ron DeSantis/Jeanette Nuñez (REP; Incumbt)
Charlie Crist/Karla Hernandez (DEM)
Hector Roos/Jerry “Tub” Rorabaugh (LPF)
Carmen Jackie Gimenez/Kyle “KC” Gibson (NPA)
State Attorney General
Ashley Moody (REP; Incumbent)
Aramis Ayala (DEM)
Chief Financial Officer
Jimmy Patronis (REP; Incumbent)
Adam Hattersley (DEM
Commissioner of Agriculture
Wilton Simpson (REP)
Naomi Esther Blemur (DEM)
State Senator – District 23
Danny Burgess (REP)
Mike Harvey (DEM)
State Representative – District 67
Lisette Bonano (REP)
Fentrice Driskell (DEM)
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