In a series of local elections in Florida, Republican-backed candidates have made significant gains, notably in Clearwater. Bruce Rector, supported by the Pinellas GOP establishment, won the Clearwater mayoral race about two-to-one, defeating Kathleen Beckman, who had the backing of many local Democrats, after a bruising campaign. Additionally, Republican candidates have successfully flipped two Clearwater City Council seats. Mike Mannino won the race for City Council Seat 3, and Ryan Cotton, who ousted anti-Scientology incumbent Democrat-backed Mark Bunker, for another seat. These victories are part of a broader trend in Florida where Republican candidates have also secured mayoral positions in Greenacres, Delray Beach, and Juno Beach. The City Commission race showed the de facto Republican leading 62-38 over the de facto Democrat.
So far Republicans in Florida flipped the Mayorship in Greenacres, Delray Beach, Juno Beach
#BREAKING: Republicans have flipped the Delray Beach mayoral seat in Palm Beach County, with Tom Carney handily winning the race
Full story now up — Bruce @RectorRuns4CLW narrowly bests @KMBeckman for Clearwater Mayor after bruising campaign Reporting by @JanelleIrwinFL https://t.co/JtrLAHbdcO #FlaPol
Mike Mannino secures victory in 3-way Clearwater City Council race to replace @KMBeckman Reporting by @JanelleIrwinFL https://t.co/3etWXEbiwN #2024 #FlaPol
Ryan Cotton ousts anti-Scientology @MarkBunker4U on Clearwater City Council Reporting by @JanelleIrwinFL https://t.co/R4Z3aky67y #FlaPol
🚨GOP SWEEPS CLEARWATER: Republican-backed candidates have flipped two Clearwater City Council seats and won the mayor's race https://t.co/0P9nB8M5DX
#BREAKING: Republicans have now flipped Clearwater City Council Seat 2, with Ryan Cotton defeating incumbent Democrat-backed Mark Bunker https://t.co/Tx2AWmDPBf
JUST IN: Republican-backed candidates have flipped Clearwater City Council seat 3, along with winning the mayoral race Mayor: Bruce Rector Seat 3: Michael Mannino
Mike Mannino secures victory in 3-way Clearwater City Council race to replace @KMBeckman Reporting by @JanelleIrwinFL https://t.co/EEPgvAdsQk #FlaPol
I've seen enough: Bruce Rector, who was backed by Pinellas' GOP establishment, defeats Kathleen Beckman, who was backed by many local Democrats, for Clearwater Mayor, about two-to-one. #FlaPol https://t.co/RifCE75bmX
Bruce @RectorRuns4CLW bests @KMBeckman for Clearwater Mayor after bruising campaign Reporting by @JanelleIrwinFL https://t.co/qPEvVP7i2K #FlaPol
If you need proof of what a disaster it was for @FlaDems/@NikkiFried, look at Clearwater, a mid-size city on Florida's Gulf Coast. City Commish race there should be close, but right now the de facto Republican is leading 62-38 over the de facto Democrat. https://t.co/MTH4xAGfjl