The votes are not entirely counted, but enough South Floridians have spoken to call a number of county ballot items and local races. Here’s a roundup of some of the outcomes this morning.
Broward County
In Broward County, Democrat Scott Israel beat out incumbent and Republican Al Lamberti for county sheriff.
Democrat Stacey Ritter won a 3rd term as Broward County Commissioner for District 3 against Republican challenger Robert Sutton.
Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, voters reelected longtime incumbents Audrey Edmonson and Bruno Barreiro to the county commission.
Former state Representative Juan Zapata won the vacant commission seat.
Miami-Dade residents also weighed in on several ballot measures including:
- Voters approved a $1.2 billion General Obligation Bond to pay for improvements at Miami-Dade schools
- Dade commissioners will now have term limits
- Voters also approved an amendment that would give citizens more avenues to fight unethical actions by a public official in the County
- Voters also gave the go-ahead to expand the Tennis Center at Crandon Park
- The ban on pickup trucks in Coral Gables has been lifted
Palm Beach County
It looks like Republican incumbent Allen West of Palm Beach Gardens has lost to Democrat Patrick Murphy—but only by a sliver.
In the Palm Beach County commission races, Hal Valache beat David Levy in District 1, Shelley Vana won against Cliff Montross in District 3, and Mary Lou Berger carried District 5 over Paul Tocker.
Palm Beach County voters approved installing slot machines at pari-mutuals. For now, that means the Palm Beach Kennel Club, the only pari-mutual facility in the county.
Palm Beach County voters also approved a ballot measure allowing the county commission to grant tax exemptions for businesses that create jobs.
Monroe County
Republican Rick Ramsay will be Monroe County’s next sheriff. He beat Democrat Tom Peteck for the position.
Jill Gage and Steve Smith were elected to the Mosquito Control Board.
