After months of vague polls never-ending political ads, traffic backups caused by campaign stops, and being annoyed by your family members on Facebook, election day is finally here, and Riptide is here to guide you through the results. Of course we'll be paying attention to the Presidential race, but we'll also keep a special focus on state and local results.
- Former Senate Majority leader appears to be heading to a defeat at the hands of Democrat Jose Javier Rodriguez in the district 112 state house race.
- Longtime legislator Gwen Margolis is headed back to the state Senate despite the Herald endorsing her Republican challenger.
- Incumbent Rep. Erik Fresen is in a very tight race against Democrat Ross Hancock, but only a small number of precincts are left to report and it appears he might squeak it out.
- Incumbent Rep. Michael Bileca is in a similar situation with a Dem challenger as well.
4 precincts in Miami-Dade still open with voters. Saying Ballot count will last into night. Results expected tomorrow #decisionon6
-- Raf Perez (@Rafters056) November 7, 2012
Dead silence at the Mitt Miami event. They all know it's over.
-- Jon Tayler (@JATayler) November 7, 2012
Miami-Dade schools superintendent announces $1.2 billion dollar bond has passed. #heraldvote
-- The Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) November 7, 2012
Reports from David Rivera campaign headquarters: Folks heading for the doors as Rivera is heading for an embarrasing defeat. #cbs4vote
-- Jim DeFede (@DeFede) November 7, 2012
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Dem, elected U.S. House, District 23, Florida.
-- WSVN-TV (@wsvn) November 7, 2012
In every presidential election since 1960, the candidate who prevailed in Florida's Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, has also prevailed in Florida.
Don't hold your breath for Florida: Nearly 70 % of precincts are still open in Miami-Dade, according to elections department. #Election2012
-- Lesley Abravanel(@lesleyabravanel) November 7, 2012
Exit polls show Obama only won 38% of white floridians this year. He won 42% in 2008. But whites showed up less this year.
-- Kyle Munzenrieder (@Munzenrieder) November 7, 2012
Tensions have boiled over at a Little Havana fire station, where Romney supporters called police after accusing an Obama campaigner of holding a spot in line for a late voter. By 8:30, at least 200 people were still waiting to cast ballots at the site.
Miami Dade Election supervisor says 150 optical scanners are being deployed to precincts with long lines.
-- Frances Robles (@RoblesHerald) November 7, 2012
No one's told the folks at Connie Mack's watch party that his race has been called. @politicstbtimes They're watching Fox on big screen.
-- Katie Sanders (@KatieLSanders) November 7, 2012
- Obama 49.86
- Romney 49.66