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Republicans flipped two seats in Pinellas County, and one in Hillsborough – the only available for them to flip.
In Pinellas, Republican Vince Nowicki bested longtime incumbent Democrat Charlie Justice. Republican Chris Scherer won an open race in District 1. Scherer beat Democrat Cookie Kennedy. The combination of victories left just one Democrat on Commission.
In Hillsborough, Republican Chris Boles pulled off an upset, winning with 52% of the vote over lawyer and former state Rep. Sean Shaw in the District 6 race to replace Democrat Pat Kemp. Boles’ victory, paired with two safe GOP victories, gave the GOP a 5-2 majority.
– Janelle Irwin, Florida Politics