Linda Doggett
Brian Bigelow Lee County Commission
A longtime Lee County clerk's office worker is closer to becoming the boss.
Linda Doggett defeated county commissioner and fellow Republican Brian Bigelow in the Tuesday primary election for Lee County Clerk of Courts.
She edged Bigelow with 38,796 votes, or 69 percent, to 17,092 votes for Bigelow, or nearly 31 percent.
"I feel very honored and very privileged to have so many people work so hard with me on this campaign," Doggett said Tuesday night.
Doggett, 50, has been a chief operating officer of the Lee clerk's office for the past 28 years.
Bigelow, 48, was last elected to a four-year term as county commissioner in 2010. He was first elected to public office in 2006.
"Personally speaking, there was no loss for me," Bigelow said. "I will be OK and find more opportunities."
He said he was glad the voters had a choice.
"I'm happy for her," Bigelow said.
Doggett now faces write-in candidate Harry Beeman, who has no party affiliation, in the Nov. 6 general election.
The Lee County Clerk of Courts office handles all official public records, including property records, court records and minutes of County Commission meetings.
The office performs audits of other Lee County offices to ensure tax dollars are spent properly.
Longtime Clerk of the Courts Charlie Green is vacating the office after 27 years.
The Aug. 14 race was open only to registered Republicans in Lee County.
Hart defeats Lee in Lee County Tax Collector primary
Tax Collector Larry Hart will continue in office.
Hart won the Republican primary election with 37,038 votes, or nearly 69 percent, to 16,706 votes for Kyle Lee, 27, or 31 percent.
Hart, 57, was the assistant tax collector when he was appointed to the position in April following the death of Lee County Tax Collector Cathy Curtis. Tax collector is a four-year term.
Hart will face James Chandler, who is running without party affiliation, in the November general election.
Hart could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
The office is responsible for collecting taxes on real and tangible property and local business taxes; it handles vehicle and boat registration and auto tags, and issues hunting licenses.
2012 ELECTIONS - PRIMARY ELECTION COVERAGE
Primary Election Day Stories
- McGarity to face Turner in Collier County judge runoff
- Immokalee voters support town's new master plan
- Doggett defeats Bigelow in GOP primary for Lee County Clerk of Courts
- Radel declares victory in Southwest Florida race for Congress
- Kiker upsets Judah for Lee commission; Pendergrass wins District 2 seat
- Nance knocks off Coletta for Collier commission; Henning survives
- Dozier, Chilmonik to runoff for Lee School Board seat; Morgan wins over Cochran
- Incumbent sheriffs win big
- The race is on; Mack, Nelson cruise to expected victories
- Collier voters return clerk, tax collector, property appraiser to office
- Circuit Judge Joe Simpson loses in Tuesday primary
- Ray Rodrigues new state representative for south Lee County
- Hart likely will remain as Lee County tax collector
- Bullard pulls out victory in tight state Senate race
- Trujillo wins Florida House 105 primary
- Mica's win over Adams highlights Fla. congressional races
- GOP senators, backed by party, look like winners
- Marco Island voters not supporting overnight walk-in clinic
- Precincts report low turnout, smooth primary election so far
- Today's election to answer several campaign questions
Photo Galleries
Related Links
- Photo Galleries
- Videos
- Unofficial: Collier County Results
- Unofficial: Lee County Results
- Database: 2012 Presidential Campaign Contributions
- Database: 2012 Presidential Contributions 2nd Quarter
- Florida Democracy: Find stories about the 2012 Florida elections at fldemocracy2012.com
- Share your Election photos at naplesnews.com/participate
- 2012 Elections Page
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