GOP Candidates Lead Pinellas County Commission Races: SOE

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Republicans came out on top in two at-large races for the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners in Tuesday’s general election, according to unofficial results from the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office.

In District 1, Chris Scherer walked away with 52.98 percent of the votes while his opponent, Democrat Joanne “Cookie” Kennedy, won 47.02 percent unofficial results show.

The seat was previously held by Janet Long.

“Thank you to all my friends and family for your support and encouragement over the last 22 months. It has been a long road, but we did it! Pinellas County needs rebuilding now and I can't wait to roll up my sleeve and get the job done,” Scherer wrote in a Facebook post.

In District 3, Vince Nowicki took home 51.51 percent of the votes while incumbent Charlie Justice, a Democrat, earned 48.69 percent, unofficial results said.

“In July 2023 I set out to bring a new voice to our County Commission. It was a race not many people gave me much of a chance at winning,” Nowicki wrote in a Facebook post. “I have met thousands of residents from Tarpon Springs to Tierra Vierde and all points in between. Last night the voters of Pinellas County gave me the honor of a lifetime by electing me to serve them on the Pinellas County Commission.

He added, “We won this race because Pinellas voters wanted a Conservative change, and I will work day and night to bring that change.”