Election DAY
Capital City IN the
W PHOTOS: The Workmans
hile Tallahassee is politically significant to the state, voters can get pretty revved up by the local races. That’s why candidates and their supporters spend lots of time on popular corners — Tennessee Street and Magnolia Drive, for one — waving signs and soliciting beeps from passing cars. On a sweltering Primary Day Aug. 18, the troops were out in full force on those corners and in front of polling places (1,2,3,4) making a last-minute pitch for their favorite candidates. Democrat Al Lawson, who represents North Florida’s 5th District, spent time in his hometown fist bumping supporters large (4) and small (5). Jessica Yeary would end up winning 65% of the vote to win as Public Defender for the 2nd Judicial
40
|
INFLUENCE Fall 2020
Circuit. Jacqueline “Jack” Porter’s creative campaigning — including live musical entertainment driving through neighborhoods — won her a seat on the Tallahassee City Commission after she gathered 52% of the vote in a three-way race. Former State Democratic Party chair Allison Tant won handily in her primary bid for House District 9. Tommy Mills (10) was unsuccessful in his bid to unseat the incumbent Sheriff Walt McNeil. Jeff Hendry (11) came in third in a six-way race for Leon County Commissioner. Kelly Otte (12) will face Carolyn Cummings on Election Day to determine the winner of that seat. With 47.5% of the vote in a five-way race, incumbent Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson will be in a runoff with Bill Schack on Nov. 3.