If you’re reading this, then you know who Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s staff and contributors are voting for in the presidential election (hint: it’s Joe Biden, the guy who beat Bernie in the Democratic primary).
But in addition to the presidential election—this is where you sigh, groan, cheer—ballots this year also feature an extensive array of congressional and countywide positions up for election across Tampa Bay.
After all, the president isn’t going to be directly guiding budgetary decisions for the state of Florida, or developing policies that directly affect local infrastructure and the social welfare of Tampa Bay residents. That job belongs to your local and state legislators.
The road towards social and economic justice for all—regardless of party affiliation—doesn’t begin or end at the ballot box. Grassroots organizing, collective acts of civil disobedience, pressure campaigns, and other forms of community advocacy are actions that can be taken by and for the people during and beyond election years to enact meaningful change.
But more so now than ever, we also have people across the state of Florida and here in Tampa Bay running for office (or reelection) with compelling visions for how we can promote the social and economic welfare of our communities, protect our natural resources, and reform systems that have systematically failed to protect the health, safety, and livelihood of our residents.
Not every race down the ballot this election cycle is equally as exciting, sure. Sometimes we might vote for candidates who are just best-suited to retain or ideally advance progress that’s been made in areas of community welfare. To help inform your decision-making progress, click above to find Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s recommendations for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay 2020 election voting recommendations
Florida Senate
Florida State Representative
Hillsborough and Pinellas Sheriff
Hillsborough and Pinellas Tax Collector
Hillsborough and Pinellas Property appraiser
Pinellas Supervisor of Elections
Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners
Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners
Hillsborough County School Board
Pinellas County School Board
Hillsborough County Court Judge Group 7
Hillsborough Soil & Water Conservation
Local referendum: Pinellas County school district special tax
Local referendum: Clearwater’s Landings Golf Club light industrial office park
Justice of the Supreme Court
District Court of Appeals
Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.
Subscribe to our newsletter and follow @cl_tampabay on Twitter.
This article appears in Oct 22-29, 2020.