Beckner Retains County Commission Seat

The results are in and incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner will serve another four years.

The Democrat was first elected to the countywide District 6 seat in 2008. Beckner is the county’s first openly gay commissioner, according to TBO.

Beckner’s Republican challenger in the race, Margaret Iuculano, is a foster child advocate.

Here’s how the county voted:

• Beckner – 279,077 votes, or 57.86 percent
• Iuculano – 203,219 votes, or 42.14 percent

During his election watch party earlier tonight, it was evident to Beckner and supporters that he would win the race. Even so, Beckner was humble about the victory.

“I never take any single vote for granted,” he said. “You always run like you're 20 points behind and never take a single vote for granted."

So what’s the incumbent going to focus on in his new term?

"I'll carry over work with helping at-risk youth get back on track," he said. He's working on a county job skill program for at-risk youth.

Beckner is also concerned about the county’s budget.

"It's been difficult for us to reduce the budget,” he said. “We want to make sure we don’t go backwards from the cuts we have made."

Results are considered unofficial until they are certified by the state of Florida.