CLAY COUNTY – While the results were much closer than from the past, Clay County voters stayed true to their Republican roots Tuesday by electing Byron Donalds as its next governor, while returning Jennifer Bradley to the Florida Senate, Judson Sapp to the Florida House, Aaron Bean to the U.S. House and Ashley Moody to the U.S. Senate.

Locally, Leroy Edwards, a Democrat, was elected to replace Alexandra Compere for Seat 2 on the County Commission, while voters agreed with the rest of the state to approve a cap on county commissioner salaries and to increase Homestead Exemptions from $50,000 to $150,000. They also voted to reject the state’s plan to increase the amount of funds that could be retained in the general revenue from 10% to 25%.

A record 93,750 votes were cast in the mid-term election, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office. That represented a stunning turnout of 60.04%. In the last mid-term in 2022, 55.22% of registered voters went to the polls.

Florida traditionally is a deep red state. While other states like Texas, South Carolina and Kansas had seats flip during Tuesday night’s General Election, Florida narrowly stayed true to its Republican roots.

With 99% of the District 4 precincts reporting, Bean turned back challenger LaShonda Holloway by just 6,343 votes.

“This campaign was won because Northeast Florida voters showed up in support – they volunteered, they made phone calls, they walked and knocked on doors and they spread the word about my campaign,” Bean said. “Everything you did made a difference, and it’s why I have the privilege of returning to Congress to serve you.

“I vow to continue fighting to address the issues that Northeast Floridians are dealing with every day – the rising cost of living, access to affordable and quality healthcare, and the safety of our communities.”

Bean, whose district includes Clay, Duval and Nassau counties, campaigned with Republican candidate Byron Donalds in Green Cove Springs on Saturday, Oct. 31. Donalds won the opportunity to replace Ron DeSantis, who termed out, by defeating once Republican and now turned-Democrat David Jolly, 4,071,372-3,965,534.

Ashley Moody won re-election to stay in the U.S. Senate by beating Angie Nixon by 218,864 votes.

Locally, Jennifer Bradley won her campaign to remain in the Florida Senate. The Fleming Island Republican represents District 6, and she turned back a challenge by Jason Bellamy-Fults by 36,607 votes. Bradley’s district includes Clay, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Alachua, Union and Gilchrist counties.

She wrote “Let’s get to work!” on social media shortly after her race was declared.

Judson Sapp won re-election to represent District 23, which includes the southern portion of Clay County, by easily defeating Democrat Lee Butler by 41.2 percentage points. The Florida House will be led by new speaker Sam Garrison, a Republican from Fleming Island who was unopposed Tuesday.

The only seat being contested for the Board of County Commissioners was won by Edwards. He beat Lolita Smoak by 1,702 votes for Seat 2.

County voters also agreed to continue to fund school security and the retention of teachers.

The state also agreed to pass Amendment III and to exempt tangible personal property on agriculture land. Amendment III will increase Homestead Exemptions from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, then to $250,000 in 2028. While property owners will experience lower ad valorum bills, the measure will cut the Clay County operating budget by $40 million next year and an additional $30 million in 2028. To bridge the gap, county officials will have to find a balance between reduced services and additional fees.

Local voters also agreed not to support a proposed 15% increase in the state’s budget stabilization fund.

Clay County voters also agreed to ditch a plan that would have led to possible pay raises for county commissioners by defeating a plan to base salaries on a state-issued scale. In the county, commissioners currently make $37,000 a year. If the county referendum had passed, their pay would have swelled to nearly $97,000, plus benefits.

For a complete listing of results, visit claytodayonline.com.