From todays Orlando Sentinel ...PRIMARY ELECTION 2014: For biographical information on the candidates, their answers to the Sentinel’s questionnaire, plus our editorial board’s endorsements, visit OrlandoSentinel Tuesday’s vote offers local focus High-profile races noncompetitive or absent; low turnout expected By Scott Powers | Staff Writer Tuesday is primary-election day in Florida — but with no clearly competitive top-of-the-ticket races this year, officials are expecting most eligible voters to stay home. Election supervisors say they expect the turnout tobeevenlowerthanin2010,when a similar primary drew 18 percent to 23 percent of registered voters in Central Florida counties. Still, they’re reminding voters that there are plenty of critical contests for the Florida Legislature, county and city commissions, school boards, judges’ benches and local issues. There are primary battles for both Republicans and Democrats for the governor’s race, but unlike in 2010, voters have little expectation that either can be close. There is no U.S. Senate race this year. The only state Cabinet race involves Democrats seeking their party’s nomination for attorney general. The Orange County mayor’s race evaporated when all challengers to incumbent Teresa Jacobs dropped out. And though there are several congressional primaries, all the incumbents feel comfortable about their chances for re-election. Yet elections officials insist voting will be worth it, noting that a low turnout means every ballot cast has a greater potential to affect the outcome. “The other things on their ballots, like the judicial races, county-commission races, school-board races, these are the people making decisions about their lives at the local level,” said Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles. There won’t be any long lines at the polls this time, promised Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel. In the 2012 presidential election, voting lines backed up for hours at many polling places. Among the top contests: • For governor, Nan Rich, a former state senator from Weston, seeks an upset after two years of low-key campaigning. She is taking on Charlie Crist, the former Republican governor from St. Petersburg. To be the official Republican nominee, Gov. Rick Scott still must win Tuesday’s primary against his two little-known challengers, Yinka Abosede Adeshina of Tallahassee and Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder of Sarasota. • The Democratic attorney-general contest features state Rep. Perry Thurston of Lauderhill and George Sheldon, a former agency official in both the Obama and Crist administrations. The winner will take on incumbent Republican Pam Bondi in November. • Orange voters will decide whether to continue a halfpenny sales tax to pay for school construction for another10 years. They also will say whether they think Orange businesses should be required to offer sick leave — although the Legislature has changed the law to render that vote moot. • For the District 12 state Senate seat in western Orange, incumbent Geraldine Thompson faces longtime rival and predecessor Gary Siplin, while Republicans decide between Edward DeAguilera and Fritz Jackson Seide. • Notable state House races include state Rep. Jason Brodeur being challenged by fellow Republican Kathryn Townsend in District 28 in northern Seminole; Republicans Bob Cortes and Scott Sturgill facing off in District 30 in southern Seminole and northern Orange; Republicans Randy Glisson, Belita Grassell, Terri Seefeldt, Joseph Stephens and Jennifer Sullivan running to fill an open seat in District 31 in northwest Orange and northeast Lake counties; and Republican Rene Plasencia taking on Ed Rodriguez in District 49, in north-central Orange. • Osceola incumbent County Commissioner John Quiñones faces several challengers, including former School Board member Julius Melendez. • There are several contested races for congressional nominations, including two in which incumbents John Mica and Alan Grayson have primary competition. “Please come,” implored Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington. smpowers@tribune or 407-420-5441 Voter Guide online
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:46:30 +0000
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