Races for two three local positions, local judges, and the State Governor primary wrapped up this Tuesday with landslides in many. In the primary for Florida House District 36, currently held by Amanda Murphy, Jim Mathieu was handily defeated by Republican Chris Gregg in the primary. Gregg took 59% of the vote to Mathieu’s 41%.

Mike Wells also beat incumbent Pasco Commissioner Henry Wilson Jr. with 68% of the vote for Wells to Wilson’s 32%.

For School Board, incumbent Steve Luikart easily defeated challenger Dr. Marc Yacht (72% to 27%).

Kim Sharpe defeated Brian Battaglia for the 6th Circuit Court Group 16 seat.

Phil Matthey beat out Amanda Colon for the 6th Circuit Court Group 21 seat.

Both parties’ headline candidates won by significant margins in the party primaries for Governor. Rick Scott won his Republican primary with more than 88% of the vote (82% in Pasco) and Charlie Crist won the Democratic primary with 76% of the vote over his opponent, Nan Rich (Crist won Pasco with 76% as well).

In Pasco, voters mustered a dismal 15% overall turnout.

By Jon Tietz