frederica-wilson_web.jpgSpecial to South Florida Times

Most African-American incumbents in key election races easily won re-election in primary voting on Tuesday across the tri-county area.

At the top of the tickets of the two parties, Frederica Wilson of Miami-Dade’s Congressional District 17 turned back a spirited challenge from fellow Democrat Rudy Moise in a race without Republicans. Wilson garnered 66.56 percent of the votes cast.

In Palm Beach, Republican Allen West, who shifted his re-election campaign to the new Congressional District 18, cruised to primary victory with 74.1 percent of the votes. In November, West will face Patrick Murphy, who defeated two other candidates with 79.7 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary.

Here is a summary of other results for each county.

MIAMI-DADE

For the state Senate, Rep. Dwight Bullard appeared Wednesday to have barely squeezed into the general election, defeating James Bush III and Ron Saunders. He will face Republican Scott Hopes for the seat held by his mother, Larcenia Bullard, a veteran politician who was prevented by term limits from running again.

For the state House, Sharon Pritchett beat Melvin L. Bratton  for the District 102 seat. Barbara Watson won the District 107 seat. Daphne Campbell retains her District 108 seat and Cynthia Stafford held on to the District 109 seat. Kionne L. McGhee won in District 117.

For the County Commission, District 1 incumbent Barbara Jordan turned back a challenge from Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson. Two-term commissioner Audrey Edmonson has been pushed into a runoff with Keon Hardemon. Dennis C. Moss held on to his District 9 seat.

For judgeships, County Judge Teretha Lundy Thomas, who faced her first opponent in almost 20 years, won re-election in Group 8 in a close vote. Greer Elaine Wallace will face Andrea R. Wolfson in Group 24.

For state attorney, Rod Vereen lost his bid to unseat longtime incumbent Katherine Fernandez-Rundle.

The Miami-Dade races also included picking a new mayor for Miami

Gardens. Oliver Gilbert emerged on top in a field of seven to become only the second head of the state’s largest black city.

Lillie Q. Odom won the District 1 seat on the City Council and Rodney Harris and Ulysses Harvard will face each other in a runoff for the District 3 seat.

BROWARD

On the Broward County Commission, District 9 incumbent Dale VC Holness won re-election.

For the School Board, Torey Alton will face Rosalind Osgood in November for the District 5 seat. Barbara Houston Wilson and Robin Bartleman  are in a runoff for the at-large Seat 9.

Among judgeships, Roshawn Banks is in a runoff with incumbent County Court Judge incumbent Robert Diaz.

PALM BEACH

For the state Senate, Rep. Mack Bernard of West Palm Beach and Rep. Jeff Clemens of Lake Worth will most likely be in a Democratic runoff for the District 27 seat. Wednesday, the race was too close to call.

For the state House, Bobby Powell won the District 88 seat.

For the Port of Palm Beach, Wayne Richards won the Democratic primary.

For Sheriff, Cleamond Walker lost his bid to unseat incumbent Ric Bradshaw.

TURNOUT

The voter turnout in Miami-Dade was 19.99 percent, with 248,496 people casting ballots from among 1,242,973 registered voters.

That percentage was almost twice as large as the 10.69 percent turnout in Broward County, where 117,449 people from among 1,098,969 registered voters cast ballots.

There was no indication Wednesday afternoon of the voter turnout in Palm Beach County.

Photo: Frederica Wilson