After almost a year on the campaign trail, the fate of the Alachua County Commission rested on a set of bar graphs.
With their eyes glued to the screen, supporters from the Alachua County Democratic Party watched and waited as the votes trickled in.
In an instant, the bar jumped, and cheers echoed through the room. The commission’s Democratic majority was secured for another term.
Out of the three County Commission races, all of the seats went to Democrats: Mike Byerly, Robert “Hutch” Hutchinson and Charles “Chuck” Chestnut.
With the Democratic Party sweeping the local races, some Republican supporters said they look forward to the state and national results. Some said they were disappointed the county election was a full win for the other party.
“It’s a tough county,” said Stafford Jones, Alachua County Republican Executive Committee chairman. “I always hope for the best but brace for the worst.”
For some students, the Alachua County Commission may seem like part of government that doesn’t touch their daily lives, but the commission has a hand in road construction, transportation projects and business initiatives, such as Innovation Gainesville, that impact UF.
During the County Commission race, some candidates focused their platforms on being a fiscal conservatism voice on the commission, and some Democratic candidates focused on being discriminate about slashing county programs.
Byerly, the incumbent since he was elected in 2000, secured his fourth term on the commission with 62,169 votes — 55.62 percent. His opponent, John Martin, a UF alumnus and former Hawthorne City Commissioner, gained 44.38 percent with 49,614 votes.
Hutchinson, the executive director of the Alachua Conservation Trust, won his district with 64,579 votes — 58.02 percent. His opponent Jean Calderwood earned 46,480 votes, securing 41.76 percent of the county.
Chestnut, a former state representative and former Gainesville City Commissioner, won a Commission seat with 60,087 votes — 53.74 percent. His opponent, Dean Cheshire, won 42.87 percent with 47,929 votes.
Byerly said he is excited to be working with Hutchinson and Chestnut on the commission.
“I’m feeling very good about having not just their perspective, but I think we’re going to have a good balance on the County Commission,” he said.
However, he said, the Democratic commissioners-elect will have Republican opposition.
“I think there is going to be some very interesting conversations, but I feel good about moving forward,” Byerly said.
Cheshire said that despite the loss, he felt great about his campaign and is happy that he can now spend time with family.
“This is the single hardest county to win as a Republican,” hesaid. “It’s a Hail Mary no matter what.”
Contact Chris Alcantara at calcantara@alligator.org.
Charles “Chuck” Chestnut addresses Democratic supporters after securing a seat on the Alachua County Commission. Chestnut and two other Democratic candidates who won seats on the commision learned of their victories Tuesday night at Cellar 12 downtown.
