Voter turnout in Santa Rosa County for 2014 election was 43.15% and with state elections, amendments, and county and school board seats on the ballot, they had a lot to decide. SRC citizens overwhelmingly reelected Republican Jeff Miller for congressional representative. Almost 75% of the county reelected Rick Scott who, statewide, won by just 1.2 percentage points edging out former Governor Charlie Crist.
Three amendments were on the ballot. Two of them received majority support, but only one broke the 60% threshold to become law. Such was the case for Amendment Number 1, which dedicates funds to acquire and restore Florida conservation and recreation lands. It passed by 74.92%. Amendment Number 2, legalizing medical marijuana received 57.57% of the vote but not enough to become law. Amendment Number 3, having to do with prospecitvely appointing judicial vacancies failed with 52.1% voting against.
Locally, in SRC District 2, Bob Cole, incumbant commissioner, faced challenger Wallis Mahute while in District 4, the seat was up for grabs between Rob Williamson and Etta Lawlor. The divides in both races were large as Cole won his race with 80.09% of the vote and Rob Williamson winning his race with 80.84%. Cole thanked the citizens of Santa Rosa County, God, and friends and family before naming some items the county still has to handle such as storm water issues and beach renourishment. See the video here for Cole's response to winning. Mahute said, "I did the best I could. It seems Republicans are leaning left nationwide. They're not getting things done. I want the conflict to stop. That's why I had no party affiliation. Still, 10,000 votes is pretty good. That means 10,000 people are not happy with the current situation."
Carol Boston’s second attempt to become the Santa Rosa County school board representative for District 3, proved to be successful in tonight’s 2014 primary election. “I ran in 2010 for the same (school board) seat,” she said. “I ran a good race and learned a great deal…I wanted to run again.” Following the results from Tuesday night’s election, Boston said she was “thrilled” to see her hard work of “knocking on doors” pay off. “I am very humbled and honored by these fine people (in Santa Rosa County),” Boston said. “I am looking forward to working with the other (school) board members.” Boston said she plans to familiarize herself with school board operations and assess the needs of county schools. While Boston took 64 percent of the votes, her opponent Jim Taylor only received nearly 36 percent. Taylor said he did not see final results of the election after seeing Boston take substantial lead in voting. “It appeared I was not going to be victorious,” he said. Following the election, Taylor said he plans to continue to work with his wife, Terry in their real estate business. Taylor will also continue to serve as chairman for the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Taylor said he is not interested in running for a county school board position in the future.
After months of Santa Rosa County debating a 1-cent sales tax to pay for a new judicial center and where to put it, the voters’ voice was heard Tuesday night. It said SRC citizens did not want a sales tax for a new courthouse. Votes totaled 23,155 for the tax and 29,269 against it. As to the location, downtown Milton received 17,437 votes, 13,462 for East Milton, and 10,759 votes for the Pea Ridge location. Newly reelected SRC Commissioner Bob Cole said he was disappointed the tax didn’t pass. Milton Mayor Wes Meiss said, “The people have spoken. It’s up to the county to go back and figure out how to fund the courthouse. The where question has been decided. Now it’s a question of how.”
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 2014 election results are in for Santa Rosa County