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Sounds like: "Don't Stop," Fleetwood Mac

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Today’s newsletter is 1,197 words — a 4.5-minute read.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state GOP declared victory for Amendment 3 last night, as the measure that lowers homeowners' property taxes statewide appeared to clear the threshold for passage.

Why it matters: Homeowners get much-needed relief, but local governments will now need to fill the funding gap and address the billions in projected revenue loss.

Driving the news: The measure sat at 62% support with more than 95% of votes in, according to a New York Times tracker based on Associated Press data. It needed 60% support to pass.

• Multiple news outlets also reported that it was on track to pass.

Catch up quick: The amendment increases the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 by 2027 and then to $250,000 by 2028.

• It also limits how local governments spend tax revenue to areas such as public safety, education, infrastructure and debt obligations.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis initially said he wouldn't campaign for Amendment 3 after the Legislature didn't pass his full proposal.
• He hosted events to garner support for the measure, but he didn't launch the ad blitz done for previous initiatives.

Between the lines: Opponents of the amendment, including the Florida Sheriffs Association, warned the loss of property tax revenue would threaten public safety and strain local government services.

• Also at risk is funding for hospitals, nonprofits, parks and libraries.
• Supporters argued local governments needed to learn to balance their budgets more efficiently.

What we're watching: Whether local governments and bedroom communities that rely heavily on property tax will cut or start charging for some services.

• It's also possible governments could raise taxes on non-homestead properties, which some warn could shift the tax burden to renters and commercial property owners.

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Charlie Crist defeated incumbent Ken Welch last night to become St. Petersburg's next mayor, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections' unofficial results.

Why it matters: The former governor and member of Congress' 62% lead signals a new direction for a city grappling with Tropicana Field's future, cost-of-living challenges, and drainage and sewer system vulnerabilities laid bare by the 2024 hurricanes.

• It's also a sharp rebuke of Welch, who sought a second term after cruising into City Hall five years ago with widespread support — including from Crist.
• Welch conceded, telling WTSP and other outlets that he wishes Crist "the best in his next administration."

State of play: The election ends a contentious race that saw the allies-turned-opponents and their supporters trading barbs at forums and on social media.

• Crist went into yesterday as the front-runner after winning 35% of the vote in the August primary. Welch finished a distant second among six candidates.

Zoom out: City voters also approved a new property tax to accelerate upgrades to the city's drainage and sewage infrastructure and elected two new City Council members to replace term-limited incumbents.

• Hillsborough assistant public defender Gabriel Hament will represent District 2, which covers the northeastern end of the city, per unofficial results.
• Nonprofit consultant Linsey Grove won the District 6 seat, which represents downtown, Historic Uptown and neighborhoods to the south from Roser Park to Bayou Shores and east to Coquina Key.

What's next: The new mayor and council members will be sworn in Jan. 7, leaving about two months for Welch to cement his legacy and Crist to tap his picks for the transition.

The intrigue: One pressing question is whether Welch will take any steps to advance his chosen plans for the Trop.

• Welch made it a cornerstone of his campaign to redevelop the 86-acre property in a way that honors residents of the Historic Gas Plant District who were displaced by the ballpark decades ago.
• Crist said at a debate last month that he would reevaluate the redevelopment proposals, including Welch's picks.
• When asked about his vision for the property, he didn't mention the historically Black neighborhood.

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Tampa Bay voters made their voices heard on yesterday. Here's where the region's key races stand.

• The Associated Press has called the U.S. House races in Districts 13, 14 and 16.
• Other races show who was leading in unofficial results as of last night, according to state and local election officials.

State Legislature

State Senate 14: State Sen. Brian Nathan (D) is on track to win his rematch with former GOP state Rep. Josie Tomkow, retaining the seat he flipped in March, according to unofficial results.

State House District 60: Democrat Lindsay Polega-Quigley defeated Republican Melissa Rutland to keep this seat blue.

State House District 69: Democratic Socialist Ashley Elizabeth Herrmann unseated incumbent Daniel Alvarez (R).

• Herrmann is the second Democratic Socialist elected to office in Florida, after St. Pete City council member Richie Floyd.

U.S House

U.S. House District 13: The race between GOP U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Democrat Leela Gray hadn't been called by the AP late last night. Luna led by less than 1% of the vote with 99% of votes counted, per AP.

U.S. House District 14: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D) held onto her seat in a newly redrawn, Republican-leaning district, defeating former GOP state Rep. Mike Beltran, the AP projected.

U.S. House District 16: Trump-backed Republican Sydney Gruters, a former aid to outgoing U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, will represent this newly redrawn district spanning six counties.

County Commission

Hillsborough County Commission District 5: Democrat Neil Manimala is on track to defeat Republican Stacy Hahn to win the countywide seat, formerly held by Donna Cameron Cepeda.

Hillsborough County Commission District 7: Democratic challenger Aileen Rodriguez unseated Incumbent Joshua Wostal (R), according to unofficial results.

Pinellas County Commission District At-Large District 2: Democrat Tim Hughes pulled off an upset against Republican incumbent Brian Scott.

Go deeper: School board races

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in Florida's governor's race, keeping the office in Republican hands, the Associated Press projected.

Why it matters: Donalds' victory makes him Florida's first Black governor and extends the GOP's decades-long hold on what was once a swing state.

• The race was close, with Donalds leading by less than 2% when AP called the race in his favor.

Meanwhile, Republican Ashley Moody narrowly defeated progressive Democrat Angie Nixon in Florida's U.S. Senate race, keeping the seat in GOP hands.

• Moody's victory preserves a Republican stronghold and denies Democrats a potential pickup in their bid to win Senate control.

Go deeper: Donalds ... Moody

👋 Yacob here. I got to ring in another Election Night at Tampa Bay 28 — breaking down the results with anchor Paul LaGrone and political analyst Susan MacManus for the viewers at home.

🫶 Yacob is grateful for everyone who tuned in last night!

Kathryn is proud of Yacob for repping us on TV!

This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.