WhistleStop Winter Haven Straw Poll Results

More than 300 people rallied last night to meet those seeking office who’s names will appear on the Winter Haven ballot. There was plenty of red, white and bluegrass, BBQ from Sonny’s and frozen custard from KC’s Big Dipper! Also, fine beers from Bernie Little Distributors and fine wines and cheese from the Wine and Beer Emporium.

280 people participated in the Straw Ballot with results as follows:

President:
Barack Obama – 83
Mitt Romney – 186

US Senator:
Glenn Burkett – 3
Connie Mack – 108
Mike McCalister – 28
Bill Nelson – 82
Marielena Stuart – 12
Dave Weldon – 21

Congress 9

Alan Grayson – 70
Todd Long – 79
Julius Melendez – 17
Mark Oxner – 14
John “Q” Quinones – 28

Congress 10

Val B. Demings – 83
Daniel Webster – 146

Congress 17

Joe Arnold – 43
William Bronson – 66
Tom Rooney – 109

Senate 14

William McBride – 143
Darren Soto – 77

Senate 15

Stego Blue – 58
Jack Myers – 108
Ronald D. Rushing – 4
Kelli Stargel – 91

Senate 21

Denise Grimsley – 174
Stacey mcCland – 61

House 39

Carol Castagnero – 51
Neil Combee – 194

House 40

Lillian Lima – 60
Seth McKeel – 177

House 41

John Lindsey, Jr.  - 55
Karen Welzel – 55
John Wood – 150

House 42

Eileen Game – 78
Mike Horner – 144

County Commission District 1

Richard J. Castret 49
George Lindsey 192

County Commission District 3

Tracy Garcia – 145
Ed Smith – 104

County Commission District 5

Chris Dowdy – 76
John Hall – 98
Ricky Shirah – 71

Circuit Judge Group 7

Larry Helms – 76
William “Bill” Sites – 93
Christine Thornhill – 86

Circuit Judge Group 27

Catherine Combee – 103
Mark Kaylor – 149

County Judge Group 5

Bob Grode – 177
William Twyford – 68

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Stacy Butterfield – 164
Sam Johnson – 88

Sheriff

Grady Judd – 232
# of write-ins – 15

Propery Appraiser

Steven Blake – 37
Marsha Faux – 213

Supervisor of Elections

Colleen Burton – 101
Lori Edwards – 163

Lake Region Lakes Management District

Bob Jardine – 10
Jean Reed – 157
Bob Sheffield – 82

Thank you sponsors: Bright House Networks; Politics in Polk; iThink Partners; Lanier Upshaw and Citizens Bank & Trust. Thanks also to the Polk County Supervisor of Elections Office for conducting the Straw Ballot.  We encourage all members to become informed and vote.