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Hernando Today

Williams Keeps Post As Elections Supervisor

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: November 5, 2008

Updated: 11/05/2008 10:47 am

BROOKSVILLE - Unofficial election results gave incumbent Annie Williams the lead she needed Tuesday night to keep her job as supervisor of elections.

Williams eked out her victory against her closest contender with 40,568 votes, or 48 percent, against Republican Shirley Anderson, who garnered 30,829 votes.

Williams said her victory shows that voters still have confidence that she is "dedicated to the process."

Her campaign has been dogged by perceived missteps that her challenger, Anderson, was quick to highlight in press releases and flyers.

Among her criticisms was that Williams was forced to reprint 432 primary absentee ballots because the names of the Republican candidates were not in alphabetical order. Anderson also pounced on the fact that 86 voters were sent new absentee ballots after they were sent ballots without the Spring Hill Fire referendum information.

Williams conceded Tuesday that "it's been a long year," but repeated her dedication to the job.

"This is nothing I'm ready to walk away from," she said.

Anderson, district director for U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, could not be reached for comment.

Williams and Anderson frequently sparred during the campaign, with Anderson frequently seizing on perceived missteps by the incumbent.

Williams has touted her experience in the post, starting when she was working for the elections office at age 17. She worked seven years as assistant supervisor of elections before her election in 2000.

The third name on the ballot is Gus Guadagnino, owner of Joni Industries, a Brooksville company that specializes in promotional products. He did not make as much noise as Anderson, but did air many of the same complaints. He focused his attention on the office's $1 million budget and questioned whether a $101,000 salary is reasonable for the elections supervisor job.

Guadagnino, who could not be reached for comment, picked up 14 percent of the vote with 12,226 votes, unofficial results show.

Votes cast and percentages

Annie Williams - 40,568 votes, 48 percent.

Shirley Anderson - 30,829 votes, 36 percent.

Gus Guadagnino - 12,226 votes, 14 percent.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

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