Florida Primary races to watch in Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla. — Tuesday is Primary Day in Florida, and we are following a number of races locally and statewide.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer says the early and mail-in vote so far is on pace with the 2020 primary. But he says unlike four years ago, Tuesday could decide several non-party races that will appear on both Republican and Democratic registered voter ballots.

“This primary election, we are going to chose a public defender, we are going to chose at least two judges and we have the possibility of choosing four school board members at this primary election.,” said Latimer. “So if you think, ‘I’ll just wait around to the general and vote on these, you are going to miss.'”

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m..

Spectrum News will have team coverage of the vote count as it happens.

Below are a number of races to watch:

Florida Senate Democratic Primary

Who will face Sen. Rick Scott in November? Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is running against former attorney Brian Rush, Navy veteran tanley Campbell and Rod Joseph, an Army veteran.

Mucarsel-Powell appears to have the most support, even speaking during a recent Joe Biden visit to Tampa before he dropped out of the race.

Scott also faces two opponents Tuesday, but both he and Mucarsel-Powell are expected to score easy wins.

Congressional District 13 Democratic Primary

Candidates for U.S. House District 13 gathered for a community conversation about the economy, abortion, Social Security, immigration, and national security — hosted by Spectrum Bay News 9 anchor Holly Gregory and Tampa Bay Times political reporter Kirby Wilson.

The candidates are vying to compete in November against Republican Anna Paulina Luna. 

Hillsborough State Attorney Democratic Primary

For Hillsborough County District Attorney, Suzy Lopez is running to retain her seat.

She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis after the governor fired Andrew Warren in 2022.

Warren is running against Lopez to win his job back.

Also running against Lopez and Warren is Elizabeth Strauss, a third generation trial attorney from Tampa.

Hillsborough School Board District 1

Incumbent Nadia Combs, a former Hillsborough public school teacher, is opposed by Layla Collins and Julie Magill. Collins cites her volunteer activity and substitute teaching when called open. Magill was born and reared in Tampa Bay.

The candidates recently answered a number of questions posted by Spectrum Bay News 9. You can read the questions and answers here.

Hillsborough School Board District 3

The incumbent, Jessica Vaughn was elected to the board, representing District 3, in 2020. Her opponent Tuesday, Myosha Powell, is originally from New York and moved to Tampa in 2005.

The candidates recently answered a number of questions posted by Spectrum Bay News 9. You can read the questions and answers here.

Hillsborough County Commission District 4

Christine Miller is the Republican incumbent and will be opposed Tuesday by Michael Owen and Cody Powell.

Running for the Democratic nomination are Jonathon T. Chavez and Nicole Payne.

Congressional District 14 Republican Primary

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kathy Castor advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 14.

Her November opponent will be determined Tuesday. Ehsan Joarder, Neelam Perry, John Peters, and Robert Rochford are running in the Republican primary.