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Municipal elections in Pinellas County, Florida (2020)

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2022
2018
2020 Pinellas County elections
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Election dates
Filing deadline: April 24, 2020 (judicial) & June 12, 2020
Primary election: August 18, 2020
General election: November 3, 2020
Election stats
Offices up: Clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, state attorney, public defender, sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor of elections, county commissioners, county judges, circuit court judges, and Lealman Special Fire Control District
Total seats up: 36 seats
Election type: Partisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2020

Pinellas County, Florida, held general elections for clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor of elections, state attorney, public defender, board of county commissioners districts 1 and 3 (at-large) and district 5 and 7 (by-district), county judges, circuit court judges, and Lealman Special Fire Control District seats 1, 3, and 5 on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 18, 2020. The filing deadline for this election was June 12, 2020.

Circuit court judicial candidates competed in nonpartisan primaries that narrowed the field to two candidates for the general election. Candidates who received a simple majority (50% plus one vote) of the vote in the primary were considered winners and were not on the ballot in the general election unless a write-in candidate qualified for the same office.[1] Unopposed candidates for the circuit and county courts did not appear on any ballot and were considered elected following the general election.[2] The filing deadline for judicial offices was April 24, 2020.[3]

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Florida modified its voter registration procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Voter registration: The voter registration deadline was extended to October 6, 2020.[4]

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

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Elections

Click on the tabs below to show more information about those topics.

Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

Republican primary election

The primary election was canceled. Ken Burke (R) won the election without appearing on the ballot.

State attorney

General election

The general election was canceled. Bernie McCabe (R) won without appearing on the ballot.

Public defender

General election

The general election was canceled. Sara Beth Mollo (R) won without appearing on the ballot.

Sheriff

General election

General election for Pinellas County Sheriff

Incumbent Bob Gualtieri defeated Eliseo Santana in the general election for Pinellas County Sheriff on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Bob Gualtieri (R)
 
62.5
 
343,567
Image of Eliseo Santana
Eliseo Santana (D)
 
37.5
 
205,735

Total votes: 549,302
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Pinellas County Sheriff

Eliseo Santana defeated James McLynas in the Democratic primary for Pinellas County Sheriff on August 18, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Eliseo Santana
Eliseo Santana
 
59.7
 
54,803
James McLynas
 
40.3
 
36,946

Total votes: 91,749
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Bob Gualtieri advanced from the Republican primary for Pinellas County Sheriff.

Property Appraiser

General election

General election for Pinellas County Appraiser

Incumbent Mike Twitty defeated Trevor Mallory in the general election for Pinellas County Appraiser on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Mike Twitty (R)
 
59.0
 
321,615
Trevor Mallory (D)
 
41.0
 
223,448

Total votes: 545,063
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Trevor Mallory advanced from the Democratic primary for Pinellas County Appraiser.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Mike Twitty advanced from the Republican primary for Pinellas County Appraiser.

Tax Collector

General election

General election for Pinellas County Tax Collector

Incumbent Charles Thomas defeated Joseph Saportas in the general election for Pinellas County Tax Collector on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Charles Thomas (R)
 
59.6
 
324,279
Joseph Saportas (D)
 
40.4
 
220,073

Total votes: 544,352
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Joseph Saportas advanced from the Democratic primary for Pinellas County Tax Collector.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Pinellas County Tax Collector

Incumbent Charles Thomas defeated Joyell Hope Bobala in the Republican primary for Pinellas County Tax Collector on August 18, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Charles Thomas
 
73.1
 
61,872
Joyell Hope Bobala
 
26.9
 
22,763

Total votes: 84,635
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Supervisor of Elections

General election

General election for Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections

Incumbent Julie Marcus defeated Dan Helm in the general election for Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Julie Marcus
Julie Marcus (R)
 
57.6
 
312,773
Image of Dan Helm
Dan Helm (D) Candidate Connection
 
42.4
 
230,703

Total votes: 543,476
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Dan Helm advanced from the Democratic primary for Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Julie Marcus advanced from the Republican primary for Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Board of County Commissioners

District 1 at-large

General election

General election for Pinellas County Commission District 1 At-large

Incumbent Janet Long defeated Larry Ahern in the general election for Pinellas County Commission District 1 At-large on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Janet Long
Janet Long (D)
 
50.6
 
272,905
Image of Larry Ahern
Larry Ahern (R)
 
49.4
 
266,624

Total votes: 539,529
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Janet Long advanced from the Democratic primary for Pinellas County Commission District 1 At-large.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Larry Ahern advanced from the Republican primary for Pinellas County Commission District 1 At-large.

District 3 at-large

General election

General election for Pinellas County Commission District 3 At-large

Incumbent Charlie Justice defeated Tammy Sue Vasquez in the general election for Pinellas County Commission District 3 At-large on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Charlie Justice
Charlie Justice (D)
 
50.3
 
271,533
Tammy Sue Vasquez (R)
 
49.7
 
267,894

Total votes: 539,427
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Charlie Justice advanced from the Democratic primary for Pinellas County Commission District 3 At-large.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Tammy Sue Vasquez advanced from the Republican primary for Pinellas County Commission District 3 At-large.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

District 5

Republican primary election

The primary election was canceled. Karen Williams Seel (R) won the election without appearing on the ballot.

District 7

General election

General election for Pinellas County Commission District 7

René Flowers defeated Maria Scruggs in the general election for Pinellas County Commission District 7 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of René Flowers
René Flowers (D)
 
67.3
 
83,091
Image of Maria Scruggs
Maria Scruggs (Independent)
 
32.7
 
40,285

Total votes: 123,376
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Pinellas County Commission District 7

René Flowers defeated Wengay Newton and Frank Peterman Jr. in the Democratic primary for Pinellas County Commission District 7 on August 18, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of René Flowers
René Flowers
 
51.6
 
16,911
Image of Wengay Newton
Wengay Newton
 
32.8
 
10,744
Frank Peterman Jr.
 
15.5
 
5,087

Total votes: 32,742
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Special districts

Lealman Special Fire Control District

Seat 1

General election

The general election was canceled. Ronald Kemerer (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Seat 3

General election

The general election was canceled. Jay Alexander (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Seat 5

General election

The general election was canceled. Vivian Diane Campbell (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Judicial

Circuit court

Group 1

General election

The general election was canceled. Susan St. John (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Susan St. John was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 2

General election

The general election was canceled. Alicia Polk (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Alicia Polk was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 6

General election

The general election was canceled. Mary M. Handsel (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Mary M. Handsel was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 7

General election

The general election was canceled. Pamela A.M. Campbell (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Pamela A.M. Campbell was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 8

General election

The general election was canceled. Susan Gardner Barthle (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Susan Barthle was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 16

General election

The general election was canceled. Kimberly Sharpe Byrd (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Kimberly Sharpe Byrd was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 17

General election

The general election was canceled. Frederick Pollack (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Frederick Pollack was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 21

General election

The general election was canceled. Phil Matthey (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Phil Matthey was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 25

General election

The general election was canceled. Shawn Crane (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Shawn Crane was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 26

General election

The general election was canceled. Linda Babb (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Linda Babb was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 28

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Florida 6th Circuit Court

Evan Frayman won election outright against Eva Vergos in the primary for Florida 6th Circuit Court on August 18, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Evan Frayman (Nonpartisan)
 
52.6
 
147,902
Eva Vergos (Nonpartisan)
 
47.4
 
133,042

Total votes: 280,944
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Group 33

General election

The general election was canceled. Anthony Rondolino (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Anthony Rondolino was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 37

General election

The general election was canceled. Jim Stearns (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Jim Stearns was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 38

General election

The general election was canceled. Christopher LaBruzzo (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Christopher LaBruzzo was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 39

General election

The general election was canceled. Daniel D. Diskey (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Daniel D. Diskey was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 41

General election

The general election was canceled. Linda R. Allan (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent Linda R. Allan was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 42

General election

The general election was canceled. George M. Jirotka (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Note: Incumbent George M. Jirotka was the only candidate to file and won the position by default when the election was canceled.

Group 44

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Florida 6th Circuit Court

Elizabeth Jack won election outright against Ashley Ward-Singleton in the primary for Florida 6th Circuit Court on August 18, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Elizabeth Jack (Nonpartisan)
 
53.5
 
150,055
Ashley Ward-Singleton (Nonpartisan)
 
46.5
 
130,627

Total votes: 280,682
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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County court

Note: Unopposed candidates for the circuit and county courts do not appear on any ballot and are considered elected following the general election.

Pinellas County Court General Election 2020

  • Incumbents are marked with an (i) after their name.
Office Candidates
Group 3

The general election was canceled and this candidate was elected:

Green check mark transparent.pngEdwin Jagger (i)
Group 10

The general election was canceled and this candidate was elected:

Green check mark transparent.pngJames Pierce (i)
Group 14

The general election was canceled and this candidate was elected:

Green check mark transparent.pngRobert Dittmer (i)
Group 15

The general election was canceled and this candidate was elected:

Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Carassas (i)


Endorsements

Do you know of an official or organization that endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Additional elections on the ballot

See also: Florida elections, 2020

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What was at stake?

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About the county

Demographics

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic Data for Pinellas County, Florida
Pinellas County Florida
Population 959,107 21,538,187
Land area (sq mi) 273 53,653
Race and ethnicity**
White 80% 71.6%
Black/African American 10.3% 15.9%
Asian 3.5% 2.8%
Native American 0.3% 0.3%
Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.1%
Other (single race) 1.6% 3.3%
Multiple 4.3% 6%
Hispanic/Latino 9.9% 25.8%
Education
High school graduation rate 91.6% 88.5%
College graduation rate 32.5% 30.5%
Income
Median household income $56,419 $57,703
Persons below poverty level 11.6% 13.3%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Four of 67 Florida counties—6 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Jefferson County, Florida 5.06% 1.75% 3.66%
Monroe County, Florida 6.82% 0.44% 4.90%
Pinellas County, Florida 1.11% 5.65% 8.25%
St. Lucie County, Florida 2.40% 7.86% 12.12%

In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Florida with 49 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 47.8 percent. Florida was considered a key battleground state in the 2016 general election. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Florida voted Democratic 56.67 percent of the time and Republican 43.33 percent of the time. Florida went to the Republicans in 2000, 2004, and 2016, and it went to the Democrats in 2008 and 2012.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Florida. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[5][6]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 55 out of 120 state House districts in Florida with an average margin of victory of 29.1 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 54 out of 120 state House districts in Florida with an average margin of victory of 30.3 points. Clinton won 14 districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 65 out of 120 state House districts in Florida with an average margin of victory of 17.7 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 66 out of 120 state House districts in Florida with an average margin of victory of 21.1 points. Trump won two districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.

See also

Pinellas County, Florida Florida Municipal government Other local coverage
Map of Florida highlighting Pinellas County.svg
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External links

Footnotes