TAMPA, Florida – Tuesday is primary day in Florida and we are following numerous elections locally and across the state.
Craig Latimer, director of the Hillsborough County Board of Elections, says early and absentee ballot numbers so far are in line with the 2020 primary. But unlike four years ago, Tuesday could also decide several nonpartisan races that will appear on the ballots of registered Republicans and Democrats.
“In this primary, we’re going to elect a public defender, we’re going to elect at least two judges, and we have the opportunity to elect four school board members in this primary,” Latimer said. “So if you’re thinking, ‘I’ll just wait until the general election and vote on it then,’ you’re going to be wrong.”
The polling stations open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Spectrum News will be covering the vote count live.
Below are a number of races to watch:
Florida Democratic Senate primary
Who is running against Senator Rick Scott in November? Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is running against former attorney Brian Rush, Navy veteran Tanley Campbell and Army veteran Rod Joseph.
Mucarsel-Powell appears to have the most support; she even spoke during a recent visit by Joe Biden to Tampa before he dropped out of the race.
Scott will also face two opponents on Tuesday, but both he and Mucarsel-Powell are expected to score easy victories.
Democratic primary for the 13th Congressional District
Candidates for the 13th U.S. House of Representatives district gathered for a community conversation about the economy, abortion, Social Security, immigration and national security, moderated by Spectrum Bay News 9 anchor Holly Gregory and Tampa Bay Times political reporter Kirby Wilson.
The candidates are vying to take on Republican Anna Paulina Luna in November.
Hillsborough District Democratic Primary
Suzy Lopez is running for Hillsborough County District Attorney to retain her seat.
She was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis after the governor fired Andrew Warren in 2022.
Warren is running against Lopez to win his job back.
Also running against Lopez and Warren is Elizabeth Strauss, a third-generation trial lawyer from Tampa.
Hillsborough School Board District 1
Incumbent Nadia Combs, a former Hillsborough public school teacher, is being challenged by Layla Collins and Julie Magill. Collins points to her volunteer work and her work as a substitute teacher when a position opens up. Magill was born and raised in Tampa Bay.
The candidates recently answered a series of questions posted by Spectrum Bay News 9. You can read the questions and answers here.
Hillsborough School Board District 3
Incumbent Jessica Vaughn was elected to the board in 2020 to represent the 3rd District. Her opponent on Tuesday, Myosha Powell, is originally from New York and moved to Tampa in 2005.
The candidates recently answered a series of questions posted by Spectrum Bay News 9. You can read the questions and answers here.
Hillsborough County Commission District 4
Christine Miller is the Republican incumbent and will face Michael Owen and Cody Powell on Tuesday.
Jonathon T. Chavez and Nicole Payne are running for the Democratic nomination.
Republican primary for the 14th Congressional District
The Democratic primary was canceled. Incumbent Kathy Castor advanced in the Democratic primary for Florida’s 14th District of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Her opponent in November will be announced on Tuesday. Ehsan Joarder, Neelam Perry, John Peters and Robert Rochford are running in the Republican primary.
