2022 Primary Election candidates thankful

State and local Primary Elections are over and the results are in with changes being made in several races.

State Senator District 2 candidate Jay Trumbull took the win over challenger Regina Piazza in Washington County with 3,061 votes, or 80.05 percent. Piazza garnered 763 votes, or 19.95 percent. Trumbull will run against Democratic candidate Carolynn Zonia in the General Election Nov. 8. The winner will replace Sen. George Gainer who is retiring in January.

Voters cast their ballots and chose Shane Abbott for State Representative District 5 with 3,159 votes, or 62.08 percent of the vote, while opponents Vance Coley and Clint Pate had 608 votes, or 11.95 percent, and 1,322 votes, or 25.98 percent, respectively. 

“It feels great. I’m honored that the citizens of District 5 would put their trust in me,” Shane Abbott said. 

Washington County District 2 Commissioner Charles Kent and District 4 Commissioner Todd Abbott were both unseated by newcomers David Pettis in District 2 and Wesley Griffin for District 4. 

Pettis gathered 3,052 votes, or 60.36 percent, and Kent took 2,004 votes, or 39.64 percent. Abbott pulled in 1,922 votes, or 37.85 percent, while Griffin totaled 3,156 votes, or 62.15 percent, for the win.

Kent said he is thankful for the time he spent as commissioner. 

“I am grateful to the citizens of Washington County for allowing me to serve them as commissioner,” Kent said. “It was a great honor to be a servant to the people of Washington County. I am looking forward to the future and what it holds.”

Abbott also said the 12 years he served on the board were gratifying. 

“The most rewarding thing I have ever done is being of service to my community,” Todd Abbott said. “I love Washington County, and recognize that we have a little piece of heaven right here in Northwest Florida. Thanks to all my family, friends, neighbors and fellow citizens for 12 years of allowing me to represent you. As we move forward, I want only the best for Washington County and will continue to work as a part of that team to make the county a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. God bless Washington County.”

The race for School Board District 1 saw Cynthia “Cindy” Johnson Brown defeat Ashlynn Casey Marquez with 2,879, or 56.61 percent, of the votes against Marquez’s 2,207 votes, or 43.39 percent, making it the closest race in the election.

Brown says her main focus will be on students safety and education. “I want to thank Washington County for trusting me and electing me to represent not only District 1 but the entire county,” said Brown.  “Thank you to my family and volunteers for supporting me. My focus will always be the safety and education of our students to include their parents and promote parental involvement as well as supporting our teachers to the fullest. We must continue to move Washington County forward to make this the best place to work and learn. I will always stand up for common sense leadership that stands for values that built our nation. American students deserve a world class education and not political indoctrination. I truly believe in Washington County.

Marquez said the experience made her love Washington County even more. 

“Thank you, Washington County, for this entire experience,” Marquez said. “I love this county more than I did when this campaign started, and I didn’t think that was possible.”

Cheryl Ann Williams will take School Board District 5 against opponent Jasper Carter. Williams garnered 3,069 votes, or 60.74 percent, while Carter pulled 1,984 votes, or 39.26 percent, of ballots cast.

Williams said she intends to work for the children. 

“I would like to thank all those who have supported me,” Williams said. “To all those who worked on the campaign with me, I am deeply grateful. I will do my very best to make Washington County proud and to serve the children to the best of my ability.”

Washington County Supervisor of Elections Carol Finch Rudd reported a voter turnout of 5,303 votes of the 15,809 eligible voters in the county, or 33.54 percent.