Candidates in this August's primary election and November's general election came out Wednesday in order to be visible and speak with the community at the semi-annual Politics in the Barn at the St. Cloud Community Center, presented by the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce.
Voters were able to speak with candidates and participate in a straw poll, while enjoying drinks and some Jimmy Bear's fresh barbecue. Candidates for the State Legislature, County Commission, School Board, St. Cloud City Council and Circuit judicial seats were in attendance.
The Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Office was on hand to officially conduct the straw poll; voters picked their choices for statewide and for local races, and well as Congressional picks to go to Washington.
Among the winners in St. Cloud were Gov. Ron DeSantis, Peter Vivaldi for State Senate, Fred Hawkins and Paula Stark for State Representative, Heather Kahoun and Erika Booth in district 4 and 5 School Board races, and Ken Gilbert and Chris Ladas-Drake in seat 4 and 5 St. Cloud City Council polls.
In the County Commission district 4 straw poll, incumbent Cheryl Grieb and challenger Jackie Espinosa finished in a dead-heat tie with 63 votes.
The next political meet-and-greet event will be July 20's Osceola Political Hob Nob at Osceola Heritage Park, starting at 5:30 p.m.
