D.C. Reeves will continue to be Mayor of Pensacola after winning a crowded race Tuesday night, and Escambia County voters chose to return to an elected school superintendent.
Reeves won with 53.45% of the vote, preventing the race from going into a runoff in November. The city charter states candidates who win more than 50% of the vote are elected to office.
Reeves thanked supporters in a Facebook post after the win.
"We still have more work to do — to keep Pensacola safe, create real opportunity, and to keep moving our city forward.
In Escambia County, 71.28% of voters chose to return to an elected superintendent beginning with the 2028 election. In 2018, Escambia voters approved switching to an appointed superintendent by just 910 votes. The new system took effect in 2020.
In Santa Rosa County, Dean Light won the District 4 County Commissioner seat against incumbent Ray Eddington, who served one term.
Jeff Ates won the Republican primary for the County Commissioner District 2 seat in a crowded race that included incumbent Kerry Smith, who collected less than 15% of the votes. Ates will face write-in candidate John Williams in November.
Check out the WUWF Voter Guide
Santa Rosa County voters in the Holley-Navarre Fire District voted yes to raise the fire assessment rates for the first time in 10 years. The increased fees will go toward staffing, advanced life support at all stations, equipment, and a new fire station on Whispering Pines Boulevard.
Down the ballot
The governor’s race will be between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly. Current U.S. Senator Ashley Moody won her primary and will face Democratic challenger Angie Nixon in November. Nixon won in an upset against retired Lt. Col. Alex Vindman.
Jimmy Patronis won the republican primary for U.S. House District 1. He’ll face challenger Gay Valimont in November.
In the Republican primary for State House District 2, John Fay won against Trei McMullen. Fay will face Democrat Johnny Austin Thompson in November.
Here’s a breakdown of the local races:
Escambia County:
Voter turnout: 26.44%
- School Board, District 1
Incumbent Kevin Adams won against challenger Erin Toler with 60.92% of the votes. - School Board, District 2
Incumbent Paul Fetsko won against challenger Gerald Washington with 66.01% of the vote. - School Board, District 3
David Williams won against challenger Isaac L. Williams with 59.21% of the vote. - Republican Primary Board of County Commissioners District 2
Winner: Mike Kohler. He will face Democratic challenger Mathious Robinson.
- Escambia County School District Referendum
The question on the ballot: “Shall the Superintendent of Schools of Escambia County, Florida, be elected by the majority of the qualified electors of Escambia County, Florida?” For background, Escambia County voted in 2018 to move from an elected superintendent to an appointed superintendent. If voters choose an elected superintendent, those candidates will be on the November 2028 ballot.
City of Pensacola Mayor
Winner: D.C. Reeves
Santa Rosa County:
Voter Turnout: 22.65%
- School Board District 1
Incumbent Linda Sanborn won against challenger David Farrow with 56.50% of votes. - School Board District 3
Incumbent Carol Boston narrowly won against challenger Kyle Connolly with 50.45% of the vote. - School Board District 5
With three candidates in this race, the top two candidates, Marie Locklin and Jill Broxson Teston will be put on the November general election ballot.
- Holley-Navarre Fire District Referendum
The referendum passes with 56.71% of voters choosing ‘yes.’
Okaloosa County:
Voter turnout: 21.87%
- School Board District 3
Incumbent Linda Evanchyk won over challenger Mitch Reed with 51.48% of the votes. - School Board District 5
Brent Hinely won against Cynthia West with 59.45% of the votes - School Board District 1
The race between JD Peacock and Jerry Buckman will not be on the August ballot. A special election will take place on Nov. 3.
