Asher Gibbons & Erin Grant
Sports Editor & News Editor
November 4th marked yet another election in the books for countless cities across the country. Though not a presidential or congressional election, several city-level positions, and even the governorship in one state, were up for grabs.
Lakeland voters elected a new mayor and two city commissioners and voted on three charter amendments, but turnout was low—only 17% of registered voters cast ballots despite community efforts to boost participation.
The turnout issue may stem from confusion over voting eligibility. While any resident within Lakeland city limits can vote, many people only realize during election season that they don’t actually live within the city boundaries.
“There are people who live just outside the city who think they should be able to vote in city elections… but if they want to vote, they have to ask for annexation. There is a route to vote in city elections, but it requires becoming part of the city, ” said Bruce Anderson, a political science professor at FSC.
For those that did vote, the headline race of the night was the contest for mayor. Current City Commissioner Sara Robert McCarley secured 50.3% of the votes, surpassing fellow candidates Cedrick Valrie, Kay Klymko, and Kaitlin Gracie Kramer.
Clearing the 50% threshold was key, since Lakeland requires a runoff without a majority winner. With four candidates dividing the vote, this seemed likely, but McCarley’s slim majority secured the mayor’s seat outright—making her the first woman elected mayor of Lakeland.
As for the two open Lakeland city commission seats, newcomer Ashley Troutman won the District C seat and the District D incumbent, Mike Musick, was reelected for another term.
Two women further North were guaranteed to make history in their election as well. Former United States Representative Abigail Spanberger challenged Republican Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears for Virginia Governor.
Spanberger won nearly 60% of the vote, making history as Virginia’s first elected female governor.
Aside from the gubernatorial election, the night ended with several candidates from the Democratic Party defeating Republican candidates. Along with Spanberger’s win, Democrat Ghazala F. Hashmi was elected lieutenant governor and Jay Jones won the attorney general race.
In New Jersey, democratic candidate Mikie Sherill beat out republican Jack Citarelli in the gubernatorial race. This marks the third consecutive democratic governor, which marks the first time in 60 years that one party was elected for three consecutive terms.
Finally, the most publicized northern election, the New York City mayoral race, had democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani selected to be the next leader of the big apple.
“He’s perfect for New York,” Anderson said. “He’s in the tradition of Fiorello LaGuardia, who was not a closet socialist. He was pretty up front that he was a socialist and that he wanted the best for all the people of the city.”
Mamdani’s campaign against Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa gained momentum on social media, and his policies—paired with targeted online outreach—energized young voters, helping secure his victory.
Additionally, the debates had multiple memorable moments, including Sliwa’s retelling of being shot in the back of a taxi cab, which eventually went viral on social media feeds around the country.
Mamdani maintains that he wants to freeze rents and apply stricter landlord accountability as well as implement city-owned grocery stores, a free bus service and universal childcare.
“The biggest barrier to what this cat wants to do is: is it doable within the political system of New York City, which is a nightmare,” Anderson said.
Ultimately, while national and statewide races often dominate headlines, the results in Lakeland and other cities across the country underscore the impact of local elections on residents’ daily lives.
“You’ve got to vote in the local elections. This is your town—your community—for crying out loud,” said Anderson. “Federal officials have global effects… but who fills your potholes, who makes sure your electricity stays on? That’s all local.”
