Dent dominates supervisor race

Three generations of Dents watched as the results of absentee votes in the Tuesday, Aug. 14 primary election scrolled down tiny computer screens in a cramped room at 101 South Washington Blvd.

Incumbent Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent was stomping Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton with triple the votes, despite his campaign collecting $94,402 — nearly three times the amount of money Dent raised for her campaign. The wide margin remained steady even as the final precinct reported, with Dent nabbing 21,177 votes to Thaxton’s 7,238.

Dent, her husband, John, and daughter Jennifer McClain alternated between watching the results roll in and wrangling McClain’s 6-year-old daughter, Kennedy, and her neighborhood friend, who were earlier reciting election rules in the walk from the parking lot.

Thaxton announced plans to run against Dent two weeks after the Florida Supreme Court ruled term limits constitutional, ending the commissioner’s campaign for a fourth term, for which he had already raised more than $30,000. He notified contributors of his plans, which he said he had been mulling for two years.
The candidates clashed at debates that included personal attacks from both Republicans during the race, filtering down to Dent calling Thaxton unfit for the administrative role, and Thaxton contending that the office lacked transparency during Dent’s tenure.

But, while Thaxton sharpened his argument about his opponent’s controversial past, Dent embraced it. She sent out mailers with large-print quotes about the three lawsuits.

The race, for which Dent spent roughly $38,000 and Thaxton spent $77,000, ended with a disappointing voter turnout of 16.45%.

“It was pathetic,” Dent said.

But, after shrinking the number of polling places and voter precincts and pushing absentee voting at town hall meetings, there were 17,000 absentee votes submitted, a primary election record.

“I think the message about absentee and early voting really resonated,” said Supervisor of Elections Chief of Staff Ron Turner.

Dent scored a victory in that regard, in addition to the unexpected, landslide defeat of Thaxton, which she said left her pleasantly surprised.

“I’m just very humbled by the support from people who came out of the woodwork,” she said. “It’s nice to know there’s someone behind you.

Dent was back in the office prepping for the general election the following day, which she expects to draw a turnout of 80% — a number she can now turn her focus to reaching with the heated campaign behind her.

“It’s been a long, hot summer,” Dent said.

Meeting expectations
The results for the Sarasota Commission District 5 seat and the 12th Circuit State Attorney Republican primaries had closer margins, with Charles Hines beating Randy McLendon with 58.86% of the vote, and Ed Brodsky inching past Peter Lombardo with 53.37%.

Hines raised more than four times the $9,000 McLendon was able to collect by Election Day, and had more high-power endorsements.

The State Attorney race, which drew more attention than usual with $240,000 in campaign contributions from Gary Kompathecras to Lombardo and accusations of illegal campaign finance contributions, ended with the heavily endorsed Brodsky ahead by 1,804.

DISTRICT 5 RACE
Sarasota County Commission District 5 candidate Charles Hines, left, watches a computer screen as votes are tallied Tuesday night. Hines won the race with 58.86% of the vote.

“This has been a wonderful experience,” said Hines. “It’s all new to me, but it’s really humbling when you’re driving home and see two people, who you’ve never met, putting up signs in your support. I want to do my best over the next four years to make Sarasota a great place to live.”