Chad Chronister Wins Reelection In Hillsborough County Race (2024)

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Sheriff Chad Chronister is re-elected and two school board members have been ousted by challengers.

Posted Tue, Nov 3, 2020 at 7:01 pm ET|Updated Wed, Nov 4, 2020 at 1:05 pm ET

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Incumbent Chad Chronister claims reelection victory in the race for Hillsborough County Sheriff.

"Humbled by the overwhelming support of our Tampa Bay community," Chronister said on Twitter. "I am honored to continue serving as your Sheriff and will always uphold my duty to protect and serve with the highest integrity, transparency, and compassion for all."

Chronister won reelection with 377,574 votes, according to the unofficial results reported by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.

Challenger Gary Pruitt had 246,623 votes, and 63,935 votes were cast for Hillsborough County native Ron McMullen.

All voting in the general election ceased at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Hillsborough County residents and the rest of the United States are awaiting the final election results from presidential, congressional and state legislative races as well as local contests for county commissioner and school board,

Return to Patch tonight for the latest vote tally. Subscribe to free news alerts for election results.

Here is a review of the candidates from local races:

Hillsborough County Commissioner District 1 candidates include Democrat and former Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen versus newcomer Republican Scott Levinson.

(100 percent reported)

• Cohen: 90,436 votes
• Levinson: 87,982 votes

District 3 candidates include Republican Maura Cruz Lanz, a newcomer to politics, who is taking on Democrat Gwen Myers.

(100 percent reported)

• Lanz: 33,396 votes
• Myers: 87,233 votes

"I am humbled by the support and encouragement I have received from the incredible people of District 3," Myers said after winning. "It will take us all to move the ball forward on transportation, affordable housing, healthcare and the many other challenges facing our community. I am ready to get started and look forward to continuing my service to Hillsborough County on the county commission."

District 6 candidates include Sandra L. Murman, who currently serves as a county commissioner in District 1 and is challenging incumbent Republican Patricia Kemp.

Kemp tweeted, "Career politician Sandy Murman is running for a 4th term on the County Commission. Time to send her home."

(100 percent reported)

• Kemp: 356,107 votes
• Murman: 321,256 votes

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has two challengers: Democrat Gary Pruitt, a retired police corporal, and Ron McMullen, a retired Tampa police commander with no party affiliation.

"I believe in full equity and fairness by the sheriff's office when dealing with the public," said McMullen, as reported by Tampa Patch. "There should never be two different experiences by different people when interacting with deputies. There is only one law and one way to apply it. Regardless of what ZIP code you live in, what color you are or how much money you have, you will be treated fairly."

Chronister took heat from civil liberty activists when he worked alongside U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents to identify and jail undocumented immigrants throughout Hillsborough County.

(100 percent reported)

• Chronister: 377,574 votes
• Pruitt: 246,623 votes
• McMullen: 63,935 votes

Hillsborough County School Board

The seven-member Hillsborough County School Board has elections for four district members, including vice-chair. All candidates are listed as nonpartisan.

District 1 Incumbent Vice-Chair Steve Cona, who was elected to the position in 2018, is being challenged by Nadia Combs, who has over 30 years of teaching experience.

(100 percent reported)

• Combs: 67,379 votes
• Cona: 38,124 votes

District 3 candidates include newcomers Mitch Thrower and Jessica Vaughn.

(100 percent reported)

• Thrower: 48,723 votes
• Vaughn: 76,521 votes

District 5 is Henry "Shake" Washington challenging incumbent Tamara Shamburger.

(100 percent reported)

• Washington: 51,998 votes
• Shamburger: 41,884 votes

District 7 candidates include challenger Sally A. Harris taking on incumbent Lynn Gray.

(100 percent reported)

• Harris: 281,349 votes
• Gray: 326,842 votes

Hillsborough County Tax Collector candidates are Republican TK Matthew and Democrat Nancy C. Milan.

(100 percent reported)

• Matthew: 308,429 votes
• Milan: 372,985 votes

County Court Group Judge 7 candidates are nonpartisans Monique Scott versus Bill Yanger.

(100 percent reported)

• Scott: 334,285 votes
• Yanger: 272,130 votes

Property Appraiser candidates include incumbent Democrat Bob Henriquez who is being challenged by Republican D.C. Goutoufas.

(100 percent reported)

• Henriquez: 384,067 votes
• Goutoufas: 296,288 votes

Hillsborough County will vote on six state amendments:

Florida Amendment 1
Citizen Requirement to Vote in Florida Elections: This amendment provides that only United States Citizens who are at least eighteen years of age, a permanent resident of Florida, and registered to vote, as provided by law, shall be qualified to vote in a Florida election.

Florida Amendment 2
Raising Florida's Minimum Wage: Raises minimum wage to $10 per hour effective September 30, 2021. Each September 30th thereafter, minimum wage shall increase by $1 per hour until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour on September 30, 2026. From that point forward, future minimum wage increases shall revert to being adjusted annually for inflation starting September 30, 2027.

Florida Amendment 3
All Voters Vote in Primary Elections for State Legislature, Governor, and Cabinet: Allows all registered voters to vote in primaries for state legislature, governor, and cabinet regardless of political party affiliation. All candidates for an office, including party nominated candidates, appear on the same primary ballot. Two highest vote getters advance to general election. If only two candidates qualify, no primary is held and winner is determined in general election. Candidate's party affiliation may appear on ballot as provided by law. Effective January 1, 2024.

Florida Amendment 4
Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments: Requires all proposed amendments or revisions to the state constitution to be approved by the voters in two elections, instead of one, in order to take effect. The proposal applies the current thresholds for passage to each of the two elections.

Florida Amendment 5
Limitation on Homestead Assessments: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution, effective date January 1, 2021, to increase, from two years to three years, the period of time during which accrued Save-Our-Homes benefits may be transferred from a prior homestead to a new homestead.

Florida Amendment 6
Ad Valorem Tax Discount for Spouses of Certain Deceased Veterans Who Had Permanent, Combat-Related Disabilities: Provides that the homestead property tax discount for certain veterans with permanent combat-related disabilities carries over to such veteran's surviving spouse who holds legal or beneficial title to, and who permanently resides on, the homestead property, until he or she remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the property. The discount may be transferred to a new homestead property of the surviving spouse under certain conditions. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2021.

Congressional Races

Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Michael Bilirakis is being challenged by Democrat Kimberly Walker in Congressional District 12.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D) has District 14's seat and is being challenged by Republican Christine Y. Quinn.

The seat of District 15 is currently held by Riverview resident Ross Spano, but he lost his bid to run for re-election in the August primary to Republican candidate Scott Franklin, who is a Lakeland City Commissioner. Franklin and Democrat Alan Cohn will face each other on the ballot on Election Day.

District 16 candidates are U.S. Rep. Republican Vern Buchanan and his challenger, state Rep. Margaret Good.

State Attorney, 13th Judicial District incumbent State Attorney Democrat Andrew Warren is being challenged by Republican Mike Perotti.

State Senator for District 19 Darryl Evin Rouson (D) is being challenged by Christina Paylan, who has no party affiliation.

District 20 State House candidates include former state representative Republican Danny Burgess and newcomer to politics Democrat Kathy Lewis.

District 21 State House candidates include Republican Jim Boyd and Democrat Anthony "Tony" Eldon.

State Representative District 57 candidates are incumbent Republican Representative Mike Beltran, who is being challenged by Democrat Scott Hottenstein.

District 58 candidates are Republican Lawrence McClure and Cleo Townsend Jr.

District 59 candidates include Republican Michael Owen and Democrat Andrew Learned.

District 60 candidates include Republican Representative Jackie Toledo, who is being challenged by Democrat Julie Jenkins.

Representative Susan L. Valdes (D) faces two challengers: Angel Urbina Capo (R) and Laurie Rodriguez-Person, who has no party affiliation.

District 64 candidates include Republican Taci Koster versus Jessica Harrington.