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Majority Of Local Voters Say Yes To Amendment 1

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By MARK HOLAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

Updated: 02/07/2008 08:12 pm

TAMPA - City neighborhoods mostly reflected statewide outcomes in the Jan. 29 primary, but there were a few differences.

More people in Tampa neighborhoods voted for Amendment 1 than against the property tax relief proposal. But the margins were shy of the 60 percent threshold required statewide to pass the amendment.

Support for the amendment was strongest in South Tampa, where it passed by more than 2,600 votes, or 54 percent of the turnout in neighborhoods south of Interstate 275, including Davis Islands.

The amendment passed by fewer than 800 votes in neighborhoods north and west of I-275. It passed by fewer than 400 votes in Tampa communities east of I-275, barely more than 50 percent of the turnout.

Amendment 1 received 58 percent support in Hillsborough County but won 64 percent of the statewide turnout.

In the Republican primary, Tampa neighborhoods chose Arizona Sen. John McCain over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, his closest competitor in the GOP field.

Among Democratic voters, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton carried more precincts than Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, but Obama received 1,313 more votes than Clinton in neighborhoods south of the University of South Florida.

Obama beat Clinton by a 2-1 ratio in East Tampa neighborhoods. He dominated the ballot boxes at Fair Oaks Recreation Center, 5019 N. 34th St., Epiphany of Our Lord Church, 2510 E. Hanna Ave., and Cathedral of Faith Church, 6304 N. 34th St.

Clinton won South Tampa and Central Tampa neighborhoods. She did especially well at Peninsular Christian Church, 3600 W. Ballast Point Blvd., Fellowship Masonic Lodge, 306 N. Lincoln Ave., and the West Tampa Convention Center, 3005 W. Columbus Drive.

Democratic candidates refused to campaign in Florida after the national party stripped the state of delegates for scheduling the primary early. Political experts credited Clinton's 50 percent statewide vote to the former First Lady's strong name recognition. Obama got 33 percent statewide.

McCain won Florida with 36 percent to Romney's 31 percent. Republican candidates made regular visits to Tampa.

McCain won in South, Central and East Tampa. His best precincts were Bel Mar Presbyterian Church, 4003 S. Manhattan Ave., and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 S. Dale Mabry Highway.

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

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