Manatee School Board: Bedinghaus upsets Mullis; Jefferson unseats Spray

In the Manatee County School Board District 5 race, 22-year-old Cam Bedinghaus upset heavily-favored Jonathon Mullis 52% to 48%, with about 1,500 votes separating the candidates. Mullis came in first place in August's three-way race, but did not receive a majority of votes, forcing a runoff on Tuesday's ballot.

In the D2 School Board race, longtime Manatee Public Schools educator Sharon Jefferson defeated incumbent Cindy Spray by the same 52% to 48% margin, with about 800 votes separating the candidates. Jefferson pulled off the victory despite being the victim of late, dark-money attack ads mischaracterizing her positions.