ORLANDO, Fla. – Tuesday was Election Day and while much has been made about the Republican Presidential Primary, for many that was not the only election on the ballot.
Former President Donald Trump handily won Florida’s GOP primary, taking at least 80% of the votes when the Associated Press called the race at 8 p.m.
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The Republican Presidential Preference Primary went forward in Florida even though former President Donald Trump is the only candidate still actively campaigning, and he has enough delegates to be the party’s presumptive nominee. Despite this, more than 393,000 people turned out for the primary, according to data from the Florida Division of Elections.
For everyone else, there were local elections in nine cities and towns in Flagler and Orange counties, which were open to all voters. In some cases, voters were electing mayors or council members. In other cases, voters were deciding on issues that are important for where they live.
[ELECTION RESULTS: Here’s everything you need to know to vote in Florida in 2024 | 35 Florida myths and misinformation debunked]
Here’s what else you need to know.
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Republican Presidential Primary information
Because the ballots were certified before the Iowa caucuses took place in January, there were Republican candidates on the ballot in March who had long since suspended their campaigns. Because of this, the following candidates were on the ballot:
- Ryan L. Binkley
- Chris Christie
- Ron DeSantis
- Nikki R. Haley
- Asa Hutchinson
- Vivek Ramaswamy
- Donald J. Trump
Florida will award all 125 delegates to Trump, who will represent the state at the Republican National Convention later this summer.
“The Florida GOP was proud to officially endorse President Trump earlier this year and tonight’s results underline what we already know: Florida Republicans are united and ready to send Joe Biden back to his basement in Delaware this November,” said Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power in a statement Tuesday night. “I want to congratulate President Trump on his overwhelming victory tonight, and I look forward to working with him to Make America Great Again!”
Why is there no Democratic Presidential Preference Primary?
President Joe Biden did have a challenger for the Democratic nomination, Minnesota U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips.
However, when the Democrats’ State Executive Committee met to finalize its primary ballot on Nov. 1, none of the 218 representatives on the committee submitted any other candidates for the ballot. Since only Biden was nominated, the state party chose to cancel the primary and award its delegates to Biden.
A federal lawsuit was filed by a Tampa lawyer, independent of Phillips’ campaign to force Democrats to add Phillips to the ballot, but a judge denied the lawsuit.
Phillips suspended his campaign after Super Tuesday.
What other elections happened on March 19?
Flagler Beach in Flagler County had an at-large commission seat up for election. Eric Cooley beat Bob Cunningham to remain on the city commission.
In Orange County, Apopka voters chose incumbent Nick Nesta to win Apopka Commissioner Seat 4, while newcomer Nadia Anderson won the Seat 3 race.
In Eatonville, incumbent town Commissioner Marlin Daniels lost his reelection bid to Tarus Mack, while incumbent Wanda Randolph beat Crystal Short-Bertrand to win reelection. Voters also approved all six questions on the ballot dealing with election issues and confirming mayoral appointments.
In Maitland, voters approved a plan to issue bonds to pay for a new library and improvements to a public park.
Oakland voters chose a new mayor. Shane Taylor beat Commission member Salvador Ramos, 64.5% to 35.5%
Ocoee had a District 4 city council race that was open only to voters of that district.
Former Commissioner George Oliver III won back seat 4 on the Ocoee City Council. Oliver beat challenger Nate Robertson 51.1% to 48.9%.
Voters in Ocoee were also asked to vote on 13 charter amendment ballot questions on issues ranging from candidate qualifications to salaries of the city commission.
Voters approved 11 of the 13 amendments Tuesday night. They did not approve two amendments that would have granted more powers to the city, including the right to acquire or dispose of property by exchange.
In Winter Garden, one new city commissioner was chosen, while another race goes to a runoff election.
Chloe Johnson beat Karen Mcneil to win Winter Garden City Commission Seat 3, 68% to 32%.
Meanwhile, no candidate got more than 50% of the vote in the race for City Commission District 2. The top two vote-getters will move on to a runoff election on April 16. Those two candidates are Iliana R. Jones and Ron Mueller.
Voters in Winter Park chose a new mayor Tuesday, while a city commission race will go to a runoff.
In the mayor’s race, current Commissioner Sheila DeCiccio beat candidate Michael Cameron. DeCiccio will be the first female mayor of Winter Park.
For Commission Seat 2, there were three candidates: Jason Johnson, Stockton Reeves and Craig Russell. No candidate got more than 50% of the vote, so the top two vote-getters, Russell and Johnson, will go to a runoff, set for April 16, according to the city’s website.
In addition, the city of Edgewood has nine ballot questions that voters needed to decide on. All of those ballot measures were overwhelmingly approved.
Pick out a race below to get the latest results.
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