'I have loved my district': Bill Proctor secures another County Commission term in landslide

Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor faced and defeated two opponents to secure another term representing District 1 in Tuesday's Primary Election.

With just over 7,076 votes, unofficial votes are in with all 27 precincts reporting in the District 1 County Commission race.

The race showed incumbent Bill Proctor with a wide lead with 58.15% of the votes, followed by Terrence Barber with 23.81% and Donna Pearl Cotterell with 18.03%.

Surrounded by supporters, his watch night party at The Moon was a seafood celebration fit for the Commission's longest serving elected official. This victory represents Proctor's eighth term in office, adding he wasn't surprised by the election results.

"I have loved my district and served my district very much and very hard," Proctor said. "I think it signals people's response and evaluation of the service that I've done over the last four years."

For more than 25 years, Proctor has faced opponents at every election.

It was a political season where incumbents had a target on their backs – especially those like Proctor who voted in favor of $27 million sales tax infusion to Florida State University's Doak Campbell Stadium. Proctor, however, proved to be invincible to the electoral darts.

He was first elected to serve a two-year term in 1996 following Commissioner Anita Davis.

Barber, a business consultant, and Cotterell, a grant writer, couldn't unseat the outspoken commissioner who's unabashed style continues to resonate with voters.

District 1 covers a wide swath of Leon County, including Frenchtown and Griffin Heights neighborhoods, much of Tallahassee's south side, parts of Woodville.

It also includes neighborhoods within the 32304 ZIP code, the poorest ZIP code in the state that became a focus throughout the campaign.

A few years ago, the Florida Chamber of Commerce alerted local elected and business leaders of the ZIP code's distinction. Proctor said he's been calling for more attention and resources long before it was a community talking point.

He plans to chip away at root issues that have led to that dubious distinction, adding he hopes FSU can be a key partner in quelling the area's chokehold on residents.

"Florida State is the 18th ranked public institution in America," Proctor said. "It simply has the academic wherewithal. They're up to taking on 32304 and making it a laboratory for multiple disciplines to engage, find and create answers."

LIVE RESULTS: Florida primary election 2022: See live results from Tallahassee, Leon County voters

WHAT TO WATCH: Will slates succeed? Will Republicans rise? 5 things to watch in local election results

The stakes: Analysis: Tuesday primary election could decide control of City Hall, Blueprint tax dollars

Contact TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com or follow @TaMarynWaters on Twitter.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article included an incorrect death date for former commissioner Anita Davis.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Proctor wins again: Commissioner secures another term in landslide race