Florida
Florida Primary races to watch in Tampa Bay
TAMPA, Fla. — Tuesday is Primary Day in Florida, and we are following a number of races locally and statewide.
Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer says the early and mail-in vote so far is on pace with the 2020 primary. But he says unlike four years ago, Tuesday could decide several non-party races that will appear on both Republican and Democratic registered voter ballots.
“This primary election, we are going to choose a public defender, we are going to choose at least two judges and we have the possibility of choosing four school board members at this primary election,” said Latimer. “So if you think, ‘I’ll just wait around to the general and vote on these, you are going to miss.’”
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Spectrum News will have team coverage of the vote count as it happens.
Below are a number of races to watch:
Florida Senate Democratic Primary
Who will face Sen. Rick Scott in November? Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is running against former attorney Brian Rush, Navy veteran Stanley Campbell and Rod Joseph, an Army veteran.
Mucarsel-Powell appears to have the most support, even speaking during a recent Joe Biden visit to Tampa before he dropped out of the race.
Scott also faces two opponents Tuesday, but both he and Mucarsel-Powell are expected to score easy wins.
Congressional District 13 Democratic Primary
Candidates for U.S. House District 13 gathered for a community conversation about the economy, abortion, Social Security, immigration and national security — hosted by Spectrum Bay News 9 anchor Holly Gregory and Tampa Bay Times political reporter Kirby Wilson.
The candidates are vying to compete in November against Republican Anna Paulina Luna.
Hillsborough State Attorney Democratic Primary
For Hillsborough County District Attorney, Suzy Lopez is running to retain her seat.
She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis after the governor fired Andrew Warren in 2022.
Warren is running against Lopez to win his job back.
Also running against Lopez and Warren is Elizabeth Strauss, a third generation trial attorney from Tampa.
Hillsborough School Board District 1
Incumbent Nadia Combs, a former Hillsborough public school teacher, is opposed by Layla Collins and Julie Magill. Collins cites her volunteer activity and substitute teaching when called open. Magill was born and reared in Tampa Bay.
The candidates recently answered a number of questions posted by Spectrum Bay News 9. You can read the questions and answers here.
Hillsborough School Board District 3
The incumbent, Jessica Vaughn was elected to the board, representing District 3, in 2020. Her opponent Tuesday, Myosha Powell, is originally from New York and moved to Tampa in 2005.
The candidates recently answered a number of questions posted by Spectrum Bay News 9. You can read the questions and answers here.
Hillsborough County Commission District 4
Christine Miller is the Republican incumbent and will be opposed Tuesday by Michael Owen and Cody Powell.
Running for the Democratic nomination are Jonathon T. Chavez and Nicole Payne.
Congressional District 14 Republican Primary
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kathy Castor advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 14.
Her November opponent will be determined Tuesday. Ehsan Joarder, Neelam Perry, John Peters and Robert Rochford are running in the Republican primary.
Florida
Florida State recruiting: Georgia edge rusher Jaxon Holly commits to FSU over Auburn, Virginia Tech, Georgia
The Florida State Seminoles landed a verbal commitment from a defensive lineman today, as Jaxon Holly has decided to join #Tribe27.
Holly is a 6’3, 235 pound edge rusher who plays for Roswell High School in Georgia. 247Sports Composite currently has him as a three-star, ranked as the 611th best player nationally (52nd best Edge, 76th best player in GA). He holds three dozen offers and chose the Seminoles over fellow finalists Auburn and Virginia Tech, along with Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M, among many others. He obviously wasn’t a priority for some of those programs but certainly was for the Tigers and Hokies. The Bulldogs were also in contention at one point.
Holly was limited to five games last season but still managed 32 tackles (seven for loss), 12 QB hits, two sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. FSU’s edge rusher board has thinned considerably over the past month, and Holly represents a nice win for Nick Williams on the trail. He’s likely going to need at least one season in the weight room before meaningfully contributing, but the tools are there for Holly to be a solid rotational player.
2027 Florida State recruiting: Current commitments
Florida
Florida romance author’s 5 favorite restaurants that inspired new book
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Grace Reilly recommends several restaurants in the Stuart and Port Salerno area.
USA TODAY bestselling author Grace Reilly next month will release her new book “Yes, Chef,” which was inspired by several Treasure Coast cities and restaurants.
The story is set in Diamond Bay, a fictional town meant to be a mashup of different cities from Fort Pierce to Hobe Sound.
A disgraced chef, Jack, returns to his hometown to take over the restaurant his late mentor left him. To revive the restaurant, he teams up with a social media influencer, Poppy, the daughter of his ex-boss.
Since the story was inspired by local restaurants, TCPalm asked Reilly about her favorite restaurants, and here are her recommendations.
Grace Reilly’s Treasure Coast restaurant recommendations
- District Table and Bar, Port Salerno: “With a menu that changes regularly, going to District is always an adventure,” Reilly said. “It’s my absolute favorite restaurant and the first place I think of when I need somewhere to celebrate a birthday or milestone. I imagine Fable, Jack and Poppy’s restaurant, as having that same spirit and flair for experimentation.”
- Hudson’s on the River, Stuart: “When I think of a classic coastal Florida restaurant, this comes to mind immediately,” she said. “Delicious seafood, a fun, bright atmosphere and excellent drinks. No meal there is complete without their deconstructed coconut cream pie.”
- Sailor’s Return, Stuart: “The restaurant that provided so much inspiration for ‘Yes, Chef,’ ” she said. “The location in Sunset Bay Marina in downtown Stuart is beautiful and the food is classic. It’s right by Gilbert’s Coffee Bar, my favorite coffee shop.”
- Fantini’s Italian Restaurant, Stuart: “As a former New Yorker, I have lots of opinions about pizza. Fantini’s is actually New Haven-style, but hands down the best slice I’ve gotten so far on the Treasure Coast,” she said. “Pizza Fridays are an institution for my family. I adore their A La Vodka pizza, as well as a classic sausage and black olive combo.”
- The Gafford, Stuart: “An absolute gem in downtown Stuart,” she said. “It brings classic Southern vibes with South Floridian flair. Their specials are always unique and delicious and the atmosphere is lovely.”
Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.
Florida
Florida jewelry store employee arrested after $150K merchandise theft, fleeing to Panama
LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Lake Worth Beach jewelry store owner is seeking justice after detectives say a trusted employee stole $150K in merchandise and later left the country.
Officers with the Boynton Beach Police Department say 46-year-old Zabrina Herrera Acosta, who was arrested on Friday, managed to pawn at least 126 jewelry items between February and November of 2025, netting nearly $87,000.
The victim told deputies she hired Herrera Acosta in February 2025 at YR Jewelry on South Military Trail.
Because the owner was attending to a family matter, she was unable to be at the store as often as usual and trusted Herrera Acosta to handle the store’s inventory.
Investigators say that trust was deeply abused when Herrera Acosta intentionally stole items while hiding in a known surveillance blind spot.
See also: World Cup fans gather outside Palm Beach resort amid Ronaldo rumors
The owner did not report the thefts immediately because she confronted Herrera Acosta, who begged for time to pay her back.
However, after learning that her former employee had left the country for Panama, the owner realized she was never going to see her money or gold again.
When Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office detectives stepped in, they uncovered a massive paper trail consisting of 58 separate pawn tickets stretching from Palm Beach to Broward County.
Pawn shop employees told detectives that Herrera Acosta presented herself as a business owner who sold jewelry for a living. For every transaction, she provided her Panama passport, signed a declaration stating she legally owned the jewelry, and left a fingerprint.
By the time detectives tracked down the shops, only 13 of the 126 items remained in stores, nine of which the owner positively identified as her stolen property.
The store owner later provided detectives with a video recording of their final phone conversation in Spanish, where Herrera Acosta reportedly confessed to the thefts, admitted to selling the jewelry for less than retail value, and promised to pay her back using her grandmother’s gold.
An arrest warrant was signed on January 23, and Herrera Acosta was arrested on Thursday for Organized Scheme to Defraud over $50,000, Grand Theft over $100,000, 29 counts of Dealing in Stolen Property, and 29 counts of False Verification of Ownership to a Pawnbroker.
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