Republican candidates won Manatee County’s leading races Tuesday, Nov. 3, although their advantage in the governor’s contest narrowed sharply compared with 2022.

Byron Donalds received 57.55% of the county vote to Democrat David Jolly’s 41.12%, a margin of 16.43 percentage points, according to unofficial county results updated Nov. 5.

That compares with a nearly 30-point advantage for Gov. Ron DeSantis over Democrat Charlie Crist in 2022, the Bradenton Herald reported.

Republicans also carried the county in the U.S. Senate and congressional contests. Ashley Moody received 59.07% to Democrat Angie Nixon’s 39.73%. In Congressional District 16, Sydney Gruters received 56.44% of Manatee’s vote to Democrat Kelly Kirschner’s 41.75%.

Closer results beyond the county

The statewide governor and Senate contests, and the districtwide congressional race, were considerably closer.

Donalds won approximately 50% statewide to Jolly’s 49%, while Moody received about 51% to Nixon’s 48%, according to the Bradenton Herald. Gruters won approximately 51% districtwide to Kirschner’s 47%, WUSF reported.

Manatee gave the Republican candidates larger margins than they received across their respective statewide or congressional electorates.

Turnout reaches 63.71%

The county reported 183,403 ballots cast and 63.71% turnout, with all 71 precincts reporting.

An earlier turnout breakdown published by Tampa Bay Beacons counted approximately 95,000 Republican voters, 48,000 Democrats and 39,000 voters registered with other affiliations or no party.

Those figures describe voters’ registrations, not which candidates they supported.

County commission stays Republican

Republicans retained all four County Commission seats up this cycle.

District 2 incumbent Amanda Ballard received 10,350 votes to Democrat Charles B. Smith Sr.’s 10,185—a 165-vote margin. Ballard’s share was 50.40%.

Tara Poulton won the at-large District 6 seat with 58.06%. Elizabeth “Liz” Arnold won the District 1 special election with 65.96%. District 4 incumbent Mike Rahn was unopposed.

Voters also approved the conservation-land bond referendum with 75.84% support. The associated property tax is estimated to cost the median homestead approximately $34 annually, according to the Trust for Public Land, as reported by Tampa Bay Beacons.

The election results remain unofficial pending certification.