PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Early voting for the special primary election is now underway in Pasco County.
- Early voting begins in Pasco County
- Special primary election
- Main race is for the District 38 seat
The main race is between two Republicans looking to take the District 38 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
Danny Burgess left that seat to become head of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
On Saturday, March felt like November in Pasco County, with some people holding campaigns signs and others heading to polling places to cast their vote.
"I was happy to wake up, have breakfast, and come get my vote in," voter Andy Taylor said.
Republican voters living in District 38 are deciding between Randy Maggard and David McCallister.
Maggard is a former Pasco Republican Party chair and current member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board. He has received an endorsement from Burgess.
David McCallister is a Dade City attorney known for his advocacy on southern heritage issues. He’s running as a pro-Trump candidate.
"I’m running to give Republican voters in Pasco a choice," McCallister said, while campaigning on Saturday.
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley says turnout so far is low, common in an off-year primary. But that doesn’t mean the race won’t be close.
"It’s not uncommon to have very close results in these elections. And there’s really no excuse to not have your voice heard. These contests, especially municipal and for state house, are closest to the people," Corley said.
Election Day for the special primary is set for April 9.
The winner of the primary will take on Democrat Kelly Smith in the June 18 general election.
If you'd like to vote early, here's some information from Corley's office:
- Voters residing in House District 38 may vote early at the East Pasco County Government Center and the Central Pasco Professional Center on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Voters within the municipalities of New Port Richey, Port Richey and Zephyrhills may also vote for the Municipal Elections at these early voting locations.