Polk County Election Results 2019: Winners And Losers

LAKELAND, FL —Polk County voters went to the polls Tuesday to fill several key posts in Lakeland, Auburndale and Fort Meade.

Two commission seats were up for grabs on Tuesday in Lakeland.

Two candidates were vying for the Northeast District B commission seat — Jim Farrell and incumbent Bill "Tiger" Read.

With all 25 precincts reporting, Read appeared to have easily defeated Farrell by a margin of 6,754 votes compared to 2,870 for Farrell.

Four candidates were vying for city commission at-large — Chad McLeod, Carole Philipson, Ricky Shirah and Shandale Terrell.

With all 25 participating precincts reporting, it appeared that McLeod win the race based on unofficial totals. He had 4,175 votes; Philipson had 3,228 votes; Terrell had 1,924 votes and Shirah had 926 votes.

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Voters also considered three charter amendments:

1. Do you favor an amendment to the Lakeland City Charter eliminating unnecessary or obsolete references and provisions; amending any gender related references; adopting applicable state law provisions; providing periodic commissioner pay adjustments similar to city employees; eliminating reduction in force provisions; creating a charter review committee and providing a periodic charter review process every 8 years; delegating regulation of taxi cabs to the City Commission; eliminating obsolete references to the Hospital Board?

With all 25 participating precincts reporting, the "yes" votes narrowly surpassed the "no" votes by a margin of 5,215 to 4,834.

2. Do you favor an amendment to the Lakeland City Charter that reduces the maximum allowable terms of city commissioners and mayor from 4 terms to 3; defining a term as any service in office over 2 years; allowing existing incumbent commissioners to serve a total of 4 terms as commissioner and mayor combined?

With all 25 participating precincts reporting, the "yes" votes surpassed the "no" votes by 6,609 votes to 3,497 votes.

3. Do you favor an amendment to the Lakeland City Charter that changes the approval necessary to sell any water plant or electric utility from the existing requirement of 2/3 of all electors qualified to vote to 2/3 vote of the City Commission and 65% of those actually voting in the next general election following City Commission approval?

With all 25 participating precincts reporting, the "no" votes surpassed the "yes" votes by 6,476 votes to 3,490 votes.

WINTER HAVEN

Six people were battling over city commission Seat #1: Nikki Becket, Elizabeth P. Davis, Jonathan "Joey" Hilliard; James Edward Hogan, Tracy-Mercer and William J. Twyford.

With all six participating precincts reporting, it appeared that the race was headed for a runoff based on unofficial totals. Twyford had 1,334 votes; Mercer had 567 votes; Hillard had 416 votes; Becket had 403 votes and Davis had 368 votes.

Since candidate received the necessary 50 percent plus one votes, it appeared that the contest would be decided by a runoff between Twyford and Mercer.

Fort Meade

Voters considered two charter amendments:

1. By law, the Commission is unable to fill a vacant commission seat, creating a 10-month seat vacancy. This amendment begins the commencement date of that current vacant seat earlier but does not change the expiration date. Question ‐ Shall the above‐described amendment be adopted?

With one of one participating precincts reporting, the "yes" votes overwhelmingly surpassed the "no" votes by 229 to 91.

2. Currently Fort Meade's Charter declares a vacancy for Commission seat without reference to general law, and conflicts with both state law and the City Code by allowing both a special election and commission appointments to fill vacancies. This amendment declares vacancies for Commission seats based on general law and prior criteria, but permits a simple Commission majority to fill vacancies for the remainder of the term. Question ‐ Shall the above‐described amendment be adopted?

With one of one participating precincts reporting, the "yes" votes surpassed the "no" votes 203 to 118.

Auburndale

Voters appeared to chose a commissioner for Seat #4 based on unofficial results.

Vying for the post were Tanner Atkinson, Danny Chandler and Jack R. Myers.

Myers appeared to secure a victory over his opponents by a margin of 620 votes compared to 248 for Chandler and 206 for Atkinson.

All vote totals are considered unofficial.