Pinellas County 2026 Primary: Shocking Winners Revealed
Pinellas County 2026 Primary Election Results: Your Simple Guide to Who Won and What Happens Next
What Happened on Election Day?
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, voters in Pinellas County, Florida, went to the polls to pick their leaders for several important local jobs. They voted for:
- The Mayor of St. Petersburg
- County Commissioners
- School Board members
- Judges
- City Council members in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Oldsmar
Important Point: What is a Primary Election?
Think of a primary like a "semi-final" round. It narrows down the candidates. In Florida, if someone gets more than 50% of the votes, they win immediately! If nobody hits that 50% mark, the top two vote-getters move on to a runoff election (the "finals") in November.
Races Decided: Winners Announced!
These candidates got over 50% of the vote, so they won outright and won’t be on the ballot in November.
Pinellas County Commissioner, District 4
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Eggers | Republican | 34,457 | 78.54% |
| Anthony Ringelspaugh | Republican | 9,413 | 21.46% |
Pinellas County Judge, Group 10
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Fiorentino | 106,499 | 63.89% |
| Zachariah Wade | 60,202 | 36.11% |
Pinellas County School Board, District 2
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Lisa Cane | 90,502 | 55.01% |
| Nancy Velardi | 74,015 | 44.99% |
Pinellas County School Board, District 6
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Nancy Nelis Bostock | 20,504 | 50.17% |
| Amanda Lord | 20,364 | 49.83% |
Wow! That was close! Nancy Bostock won by only 140 votes — that’s like winning a school election by a single classroom!
Clearwater City Council, Seat 4
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Jared Leone | 11,820 | 53.08% |
| Bianca Latvala | 10,448 | 46.92% |
Races Headed to a Runoff on November 3
These races had no candidate reach 50%, so the top two finishers will face off again on November 3, 2026.
1. St. Petersburg Mayor — The Big One!
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Crist | 18,685 | 35.29% |
| Kenneth T. Welch (Incumbent) | 10,875 | 20.54% |
| Jim Large | 9,561 | 18.06% |
| Brandi Gabbard | 9,255 | 17.48% |
| Maria Lynne Scruggs | 2,743 | 5.18% |
| Kevin Batdorf | 1,823 | 3.44% |
Who are these two?
- Charlie Crist: Former Florida Governor (2007–2011), former U.S. Representative, and former State Attorney General. He’s a big name in Florida politics!
- Kenneth T. Welch: The current Mayor of St. Petersburg, running for re-election.
2. Pinellas County School Board, District 3
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn Peters | 59,783 | 36.35% |
| Curtis Campogni | 57,302 | 34.84% |
| Dawn Douglas | 47,387 | 28.81% |
Note: Dawn Peters is the current School Board Vice Chair.
3. Clearwater City Council, Seat 5
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Wilson | 10,798 | 48.98% |
| Mark Bunker | 7,706 | 34.96% |
| Kevin R.T. Laughlin | 3,540 | 16.06% |
So close! Sam Wilson missed winning outright by just 1.02% (about 225 votes).
4. Oldsmar City Council, Seat 3
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Amber Stephens | 1,041 | 42.03% |
| Fraser Young | 957 | 38.64% |
| Jessica H. Villafana | 479 | 19.34% |
5. St. Petersburg City Council, District 6
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Linsey Grove | 1,798 | 28.04% |
| Trevor Mallory | 1,443 | 22.50% |
| Terri Balliet | 1,094 | 17.06% |
| Doug Homeyer | 1,061 | 16.55% |
| Jameka Williams | 1,016 | 15.85% |
Five candidates! With so many people running, the votes got split up, making a runoff almost certain.
What Happens Next? (Step-by-Step)
- Results are certified — Election officials double-check all the numbers (usually takes a week or two).
- Runoff candidates prepare — The top two in each race start campaigning again for the November 3 election.
- Voters get ready — If you’re registered in Pinellas County, you can vote in the runoffs — even if you didn’t vote in the primary!
- November 3, 2026 — Runoff Election Day — Voters choose between the final two candidates in each undecided race.
- Winners take office — New terms begin in late November or early January, depending on the position.
Summary
| Race | Status | Winner / Runoff Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg Mayor | Runoff Nov 3 | Charlie Crist vs. Ken Welch |
| County Commissioner Dist. 4 | Decided | Dave Eggers |
| County Judge Group 10 | Decided | Nick Fiorentino |
| School Board Dist. 2 | Decided | Lisa Cane |
| School Board Dist. 3 | Runoff Nov 3 | Dawn Peters vs. Curtis Campogni |
| School Board Dist. 6 | Decided | Nancy Nelis Bostock |
| Clearwater Council Seat 4 | Decided | Jared Leone |
| Clearwater Council Seat 5 | Runoff Nov 3 | Sam Wilson vs. Mark Bunker |
| Oldsmar Council Seat 3 | Runoff Nov 3 | Amber Stephens vs. Fraser Young |
| St. Pete Council Dist. 6 | Runoff Nov 3 | Linsey Grove vs. Trevor Mallory |
Bottom line: 5 races are settled. 5 more will be decided on November 3. Mark your calendar!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What is a "runoff election" anyway?
A runoff is a second election held when no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in the first round. Only the top two candidates move on. It’s like a championship game between the two best teams!
2. Can I vote in the November runoff if I didn’t vote in the August primary?
Yes! As long as you’re registered to vote in Pinellas County by the registration deadline (usually 29 days before the election), you can vote in the runoff — even if you skipped the primary.
3. Why did Charlie Crist and Ken Welch advance if Crist got way more votes?
Because neither got 50%. Crist got ~35%, Welch got ~21%. The rule says: If no one passes 50%, the top two go to a runoff — no matter the gap.
4. When do the winners actually start their jobs?
Most local offices begin new terms in late November or early January 2027. The exact date depends on the city or county charter.
5. Where can I find my sample ballot for November?
Visit the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections website (vote.pinellascounty.gov) closer to October. They’ll post sample ballots, early voting locations, and mail-in ballot info.
Your Voice Matters! Local elections decide things like your roads, schools, property taxes, and public safety. The November runoffs will shape Pinellas County for years to come. Make a plan to vote!