Escambia County gets one new commissioner

  • November 4, 2014
  • /   Shannon Nickinson
  • /   government
Doug Underhill is the new face on the Escambia County Commission, while Grover Robinson was returned to his commission seat. With the Escambia Supervisor of Elections estimating that 49 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot today, incumbent candidates carried the day in nearly all races. That turnout matches the 2010 election figure. Underhill, who mobilized voters in District 2 particularly on Perdido Key, bested incumbent commissioner Gene Valentino in the Republican primary in August. He easily defeated Democrat Deb Moore, earning nearly 65 percent of the vote to Moore's 35 percent.

"The turnout is something to take notice of," Underhill said. "More people are more informed and they’re voting, and I don’t think they’re voting party-centric. I had a lot of people tell me last night, ‘I’m a Democrat and I normally vote Democratic, but I voted for you.’

"There’s great change coming in Escambia County because voters are much more informed, they’re powerful and they’re empowered, and I’m very proud to be a part of that."

Moore vowed this was not her last foray into politics.

“We’re excited that we took 35 percent," she said. "We understood that it would be an uphill battle in the very Republican area. This is very much a grassroots campaign, and we look forward to the next run.

"I will not go away. This is a stepping stone for me."

Republican Grover Robinson retained his District 4 commission seat, with 70.97 percent of the vote. He bested Democrat Mike Lowery, who earned 29.03 percent of the vote.

"We’re just very thankful for the support from the citizens in District 4, allowing us to continue the mission to make Escambia better, and we look forward to serving them for another four years," Robinson said. "We’re very humbled by it. Campaigns are always arduous, so we’re just glad to get it done."

Lowery congratulated Robinson on his victory and said he felt good about his campaign.

"I knocked on nearly 11,000 doors and will continue to be an advocate for District 4," Lowery said.

Inweekly Publisher Rick Outzen said on WCOA TalkRadio 1370AM that with Underhill's victory, the Escambia Commission may be the youngest in the state of Florida, with four members under the age of 50. In other county races: — Escambia School Board Member Linda Moultrie held off a challenge from Charlie Nichols to keep her District 3 seat with 55 percent of the vote. — State Representatives Clay Ingram and Mike Hill, both Republicans, easily beat back Democratic challenges. Ingram got 69 percent of the vote; Hill got 65 percent. — The Santa Rosa Island Authority's only elected member, Thomas Campanella, won re-election with 52 percent of the vote over Terry Preston.
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