Duval Republican since 1976

Romney stays strong in Duval, not necessarily in other parts of Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It's been more than three decades since a Democratic presidential candidate won in Duval County. Not since Jimmy Carter carried the county in 1976 has it gone blue.

The 2012 presidential election was no exception, in all of northeast Florida.

51 percent of people in Duval County voted for Mitt Romney, 48 percent for President Obama.

In St. Johns County, 68 percent of votes went to Romney with 31 percent to Obama.

Clay county was no different. Romney ended up with 72 percent and Obama with 27 percent.

Finally in Nassau County, 74 percent of people turned out for Romney, 25 percent for Obama.

Although Romney dominated the vote in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas, it wasn't enough to give him the edge.

"Just get up and work! That's all you can do. As Americans, do what we have to do," past Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County Seabrook Smith said. "Hopefully Obama this time around as President will do a good job, do what he needs to be done for American people."

Florida backed the Republican candidate in six of the last eight presidential elections. This year, Democrats turned out in big numbers in Central and South Florida.

Miami continues to count ballots, but unofficial results in both Broward and Palm Beach show Obama outdid Romney in both counties.

"I'm really, really happy," one voter said. "I think Obama can move our country forward. We've been on a forward motion and I think we're going to get there. I'm very, very happy."