Leroy Edwards won the Clay County Commission District 2 seat Tuesday, Nov. 3, becoming the lone Democrat on the five-member board in a county where Republicans hold a nearly 3-to-1 registration edge.

Edwards led Republican Lolita Smoak with 55.03% of the vote, 9,262 to 7,569, according to preliminary results first reported by Clay News & Views. The results are unofficial. They include all early votes and partial counts of mail ballots and Election Day votes.

All six District 2 precincts had reported. Clay News & Views and other local outlets called the race after determining Smoak's 1,693-vote deficit could not be closed by the roughly 955 ballots still outstanding countywide.

The win marks a dramatic reversal. Edwards lost the same seat to Republican Alexandra Compere by 24 percentage points in 2022. His roughly 10-point margin Tuesday represents a swing of about 34 points in four years.

Compere did not seek re-election, leaving District 2 as an open seat.

All five sitting commissioners are Republicans. Edwards will be the only Democrat on the board. Republicans make up about 57% of Clay County's registered voters. Democrats account for about 20%, according to Clay News & Views.

Edwards, a UPS supervisor, has lived in Clay County since 2006. In an October candidate forum published by Clay Today, Edwards said managing growth while keeping infrastructure on pace was the most pressing issue facing the county and the Oakleaf area.

Smoak, an engineer, said her budget management and consulting background would help make sure tax dollars are used efficiently, according to Florida Politics. She also described her career focus as efficiency and fiscal accountability in the Clay Today candidate forum.

Other Clay County results

Voters also weighed in on three ballot measures, with 47 of 48 precincts reporting:

  • Commissioner Salary Charter Amendment: Rejected, with 68.55% voting no. As we reported Nov. 2, a mailer had misled voters about the proposal.
  • Amendment 3 (Homestead Exemption): Clay County voters backed it, with 65.43% voting yes. The amendment needs 60% statewide to pass.
  • School Millage Renewal: Approved, with 77.57% voting yes.

Countywide turnout stood at 59.71%, according to the Clay County Supervisor of Elections.

Results remain preliminary. The official canvass has not yet been completed.