By SAMANTHA GHOLAR
sgholar@newssun.com
SEBRING -- Voters showed up throughout Highlands County as the primary elections started out early Tuesday morning.
Campaigns for local and state positions including Highlands County Schools superintendent, school board members, county commission seats, and various other positions.
Polls closed promptly at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening; by 7:15 the Supervisor of Elections Office was filled with supporters awaiting results.
Early voting and absentee results were available just after 7 p.m. Those results showed a total of 4,218 votes cast. Early voting usually gives the best clue as to the official results according to numerous campaigners and office personnel.
The unofficial results include 24 of the 25 precinct; precinct 17 was not included in the unofficial results.
"This is everything but precinct 17. It's a big precinct, it's the Lake Placid American Legion Post," said Supervisor of Elections Joe Campbell. "They were unable to electronically send the results in due to bad storms in the area."
The unofficial results (with the exception of precinct 17) show a total of 10,472 voters. The unofficial primary election winners are as follows:
-Tom Rooney; Representative Congress District 17; total of 5,971 votes (79.64%)
-Cary Pigman; State Representative District 55; total of 4,356 votes (57.19%)
-Wally Cox; Superintendent of Schools; total of 4,308 votes (57.05%)
-Jan Shoop; School Board District 3; total of 6,428 votes (64.72%)
-Penny Ogg; Supervisor of Elections; total of 3,459 votes (42.52%)
-Jim Brooks; County Commissioner District 1; total of 3,907 votes (54.48%)
-Ron Handley; County Commissioner District 3; total of 4,239 votes (58%)
-Christine Trakas Thornhill; Circuit Judge Group 7; total of 4,529 votes (49.66%)
-Catherine Combee; Circuit Judge Group 27; total of 4,920 votes (54.55%)
-Bill Nelson; United States Senator; total of 1,600 votes (70.24%)
-Connie Mack; United States Senator; total of 3,667 votes (50.99%)
Several campaigners were present Tuesday evening awaiting results alongside supporters and friends.
"I'm glad it's over," said Brooks as he shook hands with opponents and friends just outside the elections office. "I'm ready for the work for the next phase of it."
Sebring City Council member and Brooks supporter Andrew Fells stated how much work Brooks has done in his campaign.
"He put a lot of work into it. He did a good job," Fells said.
Campbell and the rest of the elections personnel will reveal the remaining precinct and official results as they come in to the office.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - www.newssun.com/081512-sg-Elections