Carrollwood Residents Let their Voices be Heard in Florida Primary

As the campaign trail came to an end, Florida voters headed to the polls this morning to cast their ballots on primary day.

North Tampa residents began trickling in and out of local such as the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., after polls opened at 7 a.m. today.

About 45 people had voted around 9:30 a.m., said Ebba Godwin, a deputy in charge of elections for Hillsborough County who was stationed at the Keel library.

Many residents stopped by the library on their way to work, hoping to secure their vote to nominate one of four candidates left on the Republican ticket: Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

Brad Small, a Lake Magdalene resident, said he listened to the radio often during the campaign, but "blocked out" the negative campaign ads he heard.

"Today, I voted based on character," he said. "I think we took a hit to get the Florida primary early to make a difference in voting. We're so politically diverse."

Ashley Musolino, a Lutz resident, said the candidates represented themselves well during the campaign.

"I think it's been fair overall," she said. "I look forward to what happens in August."

Check Carrollwood Patch for election updates throughout the day.