Search
Close this search box.

Okaloosa’s 75.9% voter turnout powers decisive local election results

More than 114,000 Okaloosa County residents cast ballots Tuesday, deciding state and local races while backing economic development incentives and government reforms.

Okaloosa County recorded 114,643 ballots cast in Tuesday’s election, representing 75.9% of the county’s 151,054 registered voters.

In the State Representative District 4 race, Patt Maney won with 73.50% (67,643 votes) over Samuel Chang’s 26.50% (24,383 votes).

The county’s Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption program won renewal with 70.28% support (76,092 votes). The program, first adopted in 1981, provides temporary property tax exemptions to businesses that invest in facilities and create jobs paying above 110% of the county’s average wage.

Fort Walton Beach voters approved three charter amendments. The first, ending elected official compensation, passed with 53.58% (5,162 votes). The second, requiring property owner approval for special assessments, received 67.62% support (6,437 votes). The third, limiting annual budget increases to 3% or the Consumer Price Index change, passed with 60.82% (5,820 votes).

Destin voters selected five new city council members: Dewey Destin (22.98%), Kevin Schmidt (15.14%), Teresa Hebert (13.84%), Sandy Trammell (13.31%) and Rodney Braden (12.86%).

  • In Destin Fire Commission races, Travis Glaze won Group 2 with 53.35% (4,759 votes) over Rick Moore’s 46.65% (4,161 votes). Tommy Green secured Group 4 with 54.22% (4,763 votes) against John Bitler’s 45.78% (4,021 votes).

Crestview voters chose Shannon Hayes as their new city council member for Group 1. Hayes received 59.26% (5,773 votes) while Frederick Jackson Butts III received 40.74% (3,969 votes).

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“This article is obviously written by someone with 0 knowledge of the area. The erosion happening now is because " The Wall," as anyone that's been here since the 70's...”
Respond
“How are peoplele going to swim when there are nets every few feet??”
Respond
“I'm looking at this paragraph and thinking, why would city officials allow a DO in 2009 to be vested for 22 years? Wouldn't you think they'd realize the traffic increases...”
Respond
“Why so many boot lockers here”
Respond
“This is bs. They just allowed the county”
Respond
“There have been no parking signs for years. No one follows them.”
Respond
“Mr.Siegel, you say we own the Air Force? Keep it up with the negative sentiment, and watch the Air Force close off each side of 98 with fences topped with...”
Respond
“When I was A Deputy with the Sheriff's Office I was issuing county ordinance citations to people who were parking on the right-of-way along the area of the sea wall...”
Respond
“I will continue to go there and enjoy my time on this earth. This is bs. They just allowed the county to gangrape the south side of 98, directly across...”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.