Tough night for incumbents, unless you live in St. Johns County

Northeast Florida voters turned out an incumbent congresswoman, state attorney, public defender and two school superintendents Tuesday and set up contests in November that will result in two news members of Congress, three area sheriffs and several newcomers to the Florida House of Representatives.

Twelve-term congresswoman Corrine Brown fell to former Tallahassee state Sen. Al Lawson in the redrawn 5th Congressional District, while former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford cruised to victory in the Republican primary for the 4th Congressional District left open by the retirement of U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw.

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U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, of Ponte Vedra Beach, won 61 percent of the Republican vote in a three-way race in the 6th Congressional District.

In Republican primaries for open seats in the Florida House of Representatives, Cord Byrd won in District 11, Clay Yarborough won a five-way race for Florida House District 12 and Jason Fischer won in District 16, Bobby Payne took District 19 and Chuck Clemons won District 21.

Mark Griffin won the Republican primary in District 13 and will face Reggie Fullwood, who narrowly won his Democratic primary to defend his seat in the Legislature in November.

Former City Councilwoman Kimberly Daniels won a five-way Democratic primary in District 14.

RESULTS: All Florida primary races

In Duval County, Clerk of Court Ronnie Fussell easily on re-election, while former city councilman Warren Jones and former teacher Lori Hershey won seats on the School Board.

Voting was slow but steady in Tuesday in Duval County, with final turnout of nearly 29 percent.

Turnout was similar in Clay County, where voters turned out their controversial school superintendent, Charlie Van Zant. Voters also passed on electing Van Zant's mother to take over Charlie Van Zant Sr.'s seat in the Florida House. 

Darryl Daniels prevailed in a four-way Republican race for sheriff of Clay County to fill the seat of retiring Sheriff Rick Beseler.

Flagler County Sheriff James Manfre was defeated in the Democratic primary by Larry Jones, who will face Rick Staly, who won a six-person Republican primary, in November.

In St. Johns County, Sheriff David Shoar crushed his Republican opponent.

Voters in Columbia County turned out incumbent Superintendent of Schools Terry Huddleson, electing Lex Carswell with 51 percent of the nonpartisan vote.

Nassau County voters elected Kathy Knight Burns with 68 percent of the voter over state Sen. Janet Adkins.

The primary ran smoothly, both in northeast Florida counties and statewide, where Secretary of State Ken Detzner said “it’s been a very smooth primary election day here in Florida.”


About the Authors:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.