1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Harvey Ward, a candidate for Gainesville mayor, attends election watch party with supporters at
Cypress & Grove Brewing Company Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Harvey Ward, Ed Bielarski head to run-off in mayoral race

By Mickenzie Hannon , Jackson Reyes and Kyle Bumpers | Aug. 24, 2022

Gainesville’s primary election will determine the city’s mayor if a candidate receives the majority of the votes cast. Because Ward and Bielarski didn’t secure at least 50% of votes as of midnight Wednesday, they will compete in a runoff for the general election slated for Nov. 8.

METRO | POLITICS

Republican politicians suggest ‘voter suppression’ during Alachua County primary election

By Aurora Martínez , Lucille Lannigan , Veronica Nocera , Averi Kremposky and Lauren Brensel | Aug. 24, 2022

State Sen. Keith Perry, R-Ocala, released a statement after polls closed “regarding Alachua County Voter Suppression.” Multiple Alachua County precincts in both Newberry and High Springs went without Republican ballots for several hours, the statement read.

Danielle Hawk smiles at her supporters at her watch party Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

Danielle Hawk secures Democratic nomination for US House seat, will face incumbent Kat Cammack

By Fernando Figueroa and Melanie Pena | Aug. 24, 2022

Kat Cammack and Danielle Hawk were declared the winners of their Florida’s 3rd Congressional District primaries, as reported by the Associated Press at 7:22 p.m and 8:39 p.m. respectively.

Alachua County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler.

METRO | POLITICS

Incumbent Marihelen Wheeler wins Democratic nomination for District 2 County Commission, will face unopposed Ed Braddy

By Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp | Aug. 24, 2022

Incumbent Marihelen Wheeler won the Democratic nomination and will face off against Republican candidate Ed Braddy for the District 2 Alachua County Commission seat in November.

METRO | POLITICS

How Florida’s controversial redistricting cycle affected local midterm elections

By Omar Ateyah | Aug. 24, 2022

In the aftermath of a controversial state redistricting cycle, Alachua County voters experienced the initial effects of redistricting in Tuesday’s primaries, including the race for a state House District seat. Some residents fear their vote could be silenced as a result of the change.

Politicians are using social media sites such as TikTok in hopes of reaching young voters.

THE AVENUE

Primary candidates take to TikTok

By Erina Anwar | Aug. 24, 2022

In the midst of the midterm primaries, some candidates — including July Thomas, who’s running for Gainesville mayor, and Val Demings, who’s running for Senate — are using TikTok as a key part of their campaign strategies.

Olysha Magruder discusses polling reports with watch party attendees at the Blue Agave Mexican Restaurant Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Olysha Magruder is running as district 22's democratic candidate for the Florida House of Representatives.

METRO | POLITICS

Clemons takes District 22 Republican race, Democratic primary yet to be called

By Omar Ateyah and Jackson Castellano | Aug. 24, 2022

In Tuesday night’s District 22 primary election, State Rep. Chuck Clemons comfortably secured victory in the Republican race, but Democrats Olysha Magruder and Brandon Scott Peters were considerably closer to one another, with no clear winner despite all precincts in Alachua, Gilchrist and Levy Counties reporting their results.

Diyonne McGraw, the District 2 School Board member-elect, celebrates her win
on Tuesday, Aug. 23. 2022. “I’m all about results when it comes to the children,”
she said. ”I have children and that's who I serve. I want to see them become
ambassadors and agents of change.”

METRO | POLITICS

McGraw unseats DeSantis-appointed Russell, regains District 2 School Board seat

By Sophia Bailly and Alexa Herrera | Aug. 24, 2022

McGraw won the Alachua County District 2 School Board race with 56.92% of the vote, about 14 percentage points more than school board member Mildred Russell. Russell was appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after he removed McGraw in June 2021.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Move-in and a welcome for the Fall

By Kent Fuchs | Aug. 24, 2022

A shout-out of gratitude and admiration to all the staff and students who this past week welcomed our new students into residence and dining halls with cheerfulness and effectiveness, even in the heat and rain of August in Gainesville.

Campaign signs line the street outside of the Florida Museum of Natural History polling location Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022.

METRO | POLITICS

The primary problem

By Heather Bushman | Aug. 24, 2022

Tuesday's primary election has 14 races on the ballot, but if precedent proves correct, most Gainesville residents won't cast a vote in a single one.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson scrambles to his right versus South Florida Sept. 11, 2021. Richardson will lead the Florida quarterback room this season, while the depth behind him is questionable.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football position preview: Quarterback

By Topher Adams | Aug. 23, 2022

The Gators enters the 2022 season with a potential superstar under center and massive questions in relief. The quarterback position is the most important one on the field and Florida's crop has promise to excel or could find itself in trouble.

Ben Shelton on Feb. 21, 2021 against Auburn. Shelton announced his decision to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and turn pro Tuesday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Ben Shelton decides to forgo final years of eligibility to turn pro

By Kyle Bumpers | Aug. 23, 2022

After jumping to No. 171 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Ben Shelton has elected to depart from Florida two years early and turn pro.

Official March Madness 2020 tournament basketballs are seen in a store room at the CHI Health Center Arena, in Omaha, Neb., Monday, March 16, 2020.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators complete 2022-2023 roster with Aleks Szymczyk

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 23, 2022

Florida signed German forward Aleks Szymczyk to round out its 2022-2023 roster Tuesday.

A graphic depicting candidates in the running for U.S. and Florida House.

METRO | POLITICS

Breaking down the ballot: Who Gainesville residents will see in primary races

By Heather Bushman | Aug. 22, 2022

Gainesville residents can vote in 14 races in the primary election. Early voting ended Sunday, but residents can vote at their designated precincts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A Florida football helmet, pictured during a game against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 4, 2021.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football stacking days and battling injuries as season opener looms

By Topher Adams | Aug. 22, 2022

The Gators are dealing with a couple of knocks and wrapping up fall camp as the season opener against the No. 7 Utah Utes inches closer.

Florida junior Anna DeLeon kicks a ball during the Gators' Sept. 23 game against Kentucky. She scored the first goal of her collegiate career Sunday night against Stetson.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators cruise past Stetson in Samantha Bohon’s first win

By Jose Tovar | Aug. 22, 2022

The Gators first win under head coach Samantha Bohon was a dominant one. Florida totaled 28 shots and six corners in a 3-0 win against Stetson Sunday night.

UF houses many different perspectives and political groups on its campus, these views become more prevalent with the upcoming primaries.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Housing, academic freedom, abortion: What issues matter most to UF students this election cycle?

By Siena Duncan | Aug. 22, 2022

Several student groups have geared up to throw their support behind candidates who come out of the primaries victorious. Due to internal policies, most groups don’t endorse partisan state-level candidates early in an election cycle to avoid putting stock behind a candidate that might not make it through to the next stage.

About 50 graduate students marched from the Reitz Union to Tigert Hall Tuesday to protest the proposed increase to graduate assistants' wages.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Graduate Assistants United agrees to new stipend minimum — the first raise in five years

By Siena Duncan | Aug. 21, 2022

UF Graduate Assistants United announced its agreement with the university Thursday regarding a final minimum stipend offer, which is the equivalent of a yearly salary that some graduate assistants depend on for their main source of income.

Florida volleyball's Elli McKissock (23), Sofia Victoria (4), Marlie Monserez (21) and Merritt Beason (13) celebrate during the Gators' loss to Mississippi State on Sept. 24. The team hosted Jacksonville Saturday for its annual Fan Day exhibition match.

SPORTS | VOLLEYBALL

Gators volleyball sweeps Jacksonville at its Fan Day exhibition match

By Brandon Hernandez | Aug. 20, 2022

Gators volleyball swept Jacksonville in four and a half sets of exhibition action Saturday afternoon.

Florida goalie Alexa Goldberg makes a save against Kentucky on Sept. 23, 2021. Goldberg made a few clutch saves to keep the Gators at a draw, but a second-half concesion lead to a 1-0 UF loss.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Gators soccer drops season opener in Samantha Bohon’s debut

By Jackson Reyes | Aug. 18, 2022

Gators soccer opens the 2022 season with a 3-0 loss against UCF

El Caimán