Election 2004

Pugh cruises in 1 race; recount likely in other

By LOGAN NEILL
Published November 3, 2004

THE PRESIDENCY This time, key to presidency lies with Ohio THE SENATE Martinez lead at just under 1 percent THE STATE Five judges on way to easily keeping seats Justices' jobs appear safe, judging by early returns Voters call it a draw in doctor-lawyer battle Senate lead at just under 1 percent Cantero, Bell easily hang onto seats TAMPA BAY Coats easily beats former shock jock Lines pose biggest problem for voters Local roots, support boost Burke's victory Pinellas Suncoast race close; fee hike fails Voters approve higher tax to help Pinellas teachers, schools Biggest voting gripe: long lines PASCO Pasco pulls off smooth election Kurt Browning bests Bergy Fiorentino secures job after tough quest Incumbent Hildebrand sails to sixth term Jack Mariano upsets Peter Altman HERNANDO Voters pack polls with vigor Fagan leads decisively, vows to seek consensus Nugent 'thrilled' as he heads to easy win Precincts experience only minor problems Pugh cruises in 1 race; recount likely in other In Hernando: experience, Democrats CITRUS Fervor, dignity meet at polls Spivey charges past Takac for seat on bench 2 incumbents win, another defeated by former chief Related 10 News video: Bush camp says he's won, Kerry not conceding Ohio's "provisional" ballots may decide presidency Bush defeats Kerry in Florida Martinez claims victory, Castor refuses to concede Voters pass minimum wage measure; gambling measure deadlocked

BROOKSVILLE - High school teacher and coach Brent Gaustad and local NAACP chapter president Frankie Burnett were separated by a single vote, with absentee ballots outstanding in the Group 3 race for City Council late Tuesday.

In the other contest, David Pugh Jr. handily defeated a much more experienced politician, Pat Brayton, to win the City Council Group 2 seat Tuesday, according to preliminary results.

With the tight margin separating Gaustad and Burnett, the race will likely be decided by a mandatory recount today.

For Pugh, a political newcomer, getting 64 percent of the votes was gratifying.

"I haven't felt this excited since the birth of my children," Pugh said. "I had a huge amount of support from some great people. I don't think could have done it without them."

Pugh, a project manager with Civil-Tech Consulting Engineers Inc., said he expected a tough race from Brayton, a former two-term council member. He will complete the four-year seat being vacated by Vice Mayor Joe Bernardini.

Gaustad, 43, a teacher and coach at Hernando High, was leading in a three-way race that included Robert Osmond, 34, owner of Osmond Printing Inc. in Brooksville.

"It's very intense," said Gaustad, who said he was told that there were about 350 absentee ballots still to be counted. "We're just trying to hold our heads above water."

When contacted late Tuesday, Burnett said he was waiting for the results before he commented.

[Last modified November 2, 2004, 22:47:12]