IT'S THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, FLORIDA COULD BE POISED TO ELECT ITS FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR.

THAT'S IF GOP NOMINEE BYRON DONALDS DEFEAT DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE DAVID JOLLY IN NOVEMBER.

WE'RE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT TUESDAY'S PRIMARY RESULTS JUST AHEAD.

HOW GRASSROOTS EFFORTS UP ENDED AT KEY RACE FOR A SEAT ON THE LEE COUNTY COMMISSION.

AMANDA COCHRAN CAPTURES THE VOTE NEEDED TO OUST THE INCUMBENT.

TRISH TROSKY.

DIVING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GULF.

WE TAKE YOU TO KIMBERLY'S REEF OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

FIND OUT WHAT SPECIES ARE TAKING UP RESIDENCE IN THE ARTIFICIAL REEF.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE RESULTS ARE IN FROM THE FLORIDA PRIMARY WITH SOME PROJECTIONS COMING AS PREDICTED.

WELL, OTHER RACES OFFERED A MAJOR UPSETS IN THE RACE TO BE FLORIDA'S NEXT GOVERNOR.

BYRON DONALDS AND DAVID JOLLY, ONE OF THEIR PARTY'S NOMINATIONS AND WILL FACE OFF IN NOVEMBER IN THE CHASE FOR THE U.S.

SENATE SEAT.

DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND HE NICS NIXON PULLED OFF A STUNNING WIN AGAINST RETIRED ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALEX VINDMAN.

THEN MEN'S CAMPAIGN SPENT MORE THAN 16 MILLION DOLLARS.

NIXON'S LESS THAN A MILLION NIXON DEFEATED VENEMAN WITH 56% OF THE VOTE.

SHE WILL CHALLENGE INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN SEN ASHLEY MOODY IN THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

>> FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE PRIMARY RESULTS, I'M NOW JOINED BY DOCTOR SUSAN MCMANUS.

>> PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT USF AND A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERT IN FLORIDA POLITICS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> LET'S FIRST TALK ABOUT THE U.S.

SENATE SEAT.

INCUMBENT SENATOR ASHLEY MOODY WINS THE GOP PRIMARY BY A LANDSLIDE IN NOVEMBER.

SHE WILL FACE OFF AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE, PROGRESSIVE ANGIE NIXON, A STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

HOW SURPRISING IS IT THAT NIXON BEAT FORMER ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ALEX VENEMAN.

HE SPENT CLOSE TO 3 MILLION DOLLARS AT LEAST IN HIS CAMPAIGN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IT'S CERTAINLY SHOCKED A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IF YOU FOLLOW IT VERY CLOSELY, THERE'S SOME REALLY GOOD EXPLANATIONS FOR, FOR EXAMPLE.

SHE IS A WELL-KNOWN STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR SHE'S VISIT AT ALL THESE DEMOCRATIC CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR YEARS.

PEOPLE KNOW HER.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS SHE RAN A FANTASTIC GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN.

SHOULD VERSION OF THE MONEY SHE TOOK THE TIME SHE ORGANIZED PEOPLE.

SHE GOT PEOPLE ENGAGE THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE EVER VOTED IN THIS RACE.

NOW, IF AT ALL, A CLASSIC CASE OF WHERE HARD WORK AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONSTITUENCY BASE REALLY PAID OFF FOR HER.

BUT THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER BIG REASON.

AND THAT IS THAT 63% OF ALL FLORIDA DEMOCRATS ARE WOMEN.

AND A LOT OF WOMEN REALLY LIKE TO SUPPORT OTHER WOMEN CANDIDATES WHO ARE RUNNING.

AND YOU SAW A LOT OF THAT.

SO THAT ADDED TO IT.

AND AS THE 3RD THING, YOU CAN HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY.

AND NOT ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE OF AN AREA.

AND THEN A MAN CAME IN WITH A LOT OF MONEY, MAKING A LOT OF SPLASH.

BUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE HAD A AN OPPONENT.

WE WENT STRAIGHT 4 AIMING AT MOODY JUST BY PASSING ON ASSUMING THAT HE HAD IT IN THE BAG.

WERE GUESTS WANTING GOOD.

>> THE 11 TERM DEMOCRATIC U.S.

REP DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ WON THE NOMINATION IN NEAR MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT UNDER THE GOP LED REDRAWING OF CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

HOW DID THE REDRAWING OF THOSE MAPS IMPACT THE PRIMARY OUTCOMES?

>> AND THAT DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WERE A LOT OF WELL, FIRST OF ALL, SHE MOVE TO A DISTRICT THAT SHE DID NOT REPRESENT ME FOR DISTRICT 20 AND THAT WAS TRADITIONALLY HELD BY AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

AND SO WHEN SHE ENTERED THE RACE, THERE WERE A LOT WITHIN THE BLACK COMMUNITY ARE VERY DISTURBED ABOUT THAT.

AND IN FACT, SHE HAD A LOT OF BLACK OPPONENTS RUNNING AGAINST HER AND SHE EVEN CAUGHT A LOT OF FLAK FOR EVEN ENTERING THE RACE IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THAT HAD BEEN A TRADITIONAL BLACK DISTRICT.

SHE WON OVERWHELMINGLY.

SHE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT OF JEWISH COMMUNITY OR OLDER DEMOCRATS HAVE KNOWN HER.

SHE'S BEEN IN OFFICE 20 SOME YEARS.

HE'S REALLY COMMUNITIES AND BROWARD COUNTY.

WELL, RIDGES WHERE SHE LIVE.

AND SO SHE PULLED IT OFF YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THE CREDIT AND A LOT OF BLACK SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO DID LIKE HER, WHERE WE'RE REALLY WATCHING TO SEE WHAT DIFFERENCE THAT MIGHT MAKE DOWN THE WAY, BECAUSE THERE'S STILL SOME HARD FEELINGS ABOUT HER IN THE RACE.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT'S A SAFE DISTRICT NOW FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> THAT IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR BYRON DONALDS CAPTURE THE GOP NOMINATION ENDORSED OF COURSE BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON WHETHER THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE, DAVID JOLLY HAS A REAL CHANCE TO BEAT BYRON DONALDS IN NOVEMBER.

>> THIS WILL BE A MUCH CLOSER RACE THAN THE LAST GUBERNATORIAL RACE WAS WITHOUT QUESTION.

THE QUESTION HERE AGAIN, IS.

HOW MUCH DEMOCRATS CAN GRAB A HOLD OF A LOT OF.

THE NO PARTY AFFILIATION.

SO FOR LET'S JUST GET A READ ON THE BREAKDOWN RIGHT NOW ON FLORIDA, AT 41% OF ALL REGISTRANTS, ARE REPUBLICANS, 30% OF DEMOCRATS.

AND 28 TO 29% OR NO PARTY AFFILIATION OR ONE OF THE 15 MINOR PARTIES, DEMOCRATS.

AND YOU CAN SEE WITH THOSE NUMBERS.

I'VE GOT TO MAKE A LOT OF HEADWAY INTO THIS BASE THAT IS INDEPENDENT AND REALLY DID LIKE PARTIES TOO MUCH.

AND FOR, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF REASONS THEY TRADITIONALLY DON'T HAVE A HIGHER TURNOUT.

SO THE CHALLENGE IS THERE.

AND THE NUMBERS IN TERMS OF REGISTRATION GIVE THE EDGE TO THE REPUBLICAN.

AND BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, IF THE DEMOCRATS CAN REALLY GRAB AHOLD OF PEOPLE ON AN ISSUE THAT'S RESONATING WELL, AND CAN GRAB A HOLD OF A LOT OF THESE INDEPENDENTS.

IT COULD BE A VERY CLOSE RACE.

>> AND WHAT IMPLICATIONS DO THE PRIMARY RESULTS HAVE ON THE MIDTERMS?

>> NOT A WHOLE LOT TO BE.

FRANK.

WE HAD A LITTLE BIT LOWER TURNOUT THAN WE DID.

THE PREVIOUS MIDTERM.

I THINK IN 2022 IS 26% LOOKS LIKE LAST NIGHT.

IT WAS 24 AND A HALF OR 25 IT A LITTLE BIT LOWER TURNOUT.

BUT THE PEOPLE WHO VOTE IN PRIMARIES ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

THEN THE ELECTORATE AT LARGE.

MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE ACTIVE IN POLITICS.

THEY LOVE POLITICS.

THEY'RE OLDER.

AND THEY'RE VERY DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICALLY.

THEN THEIR INDIVIDUAL PARTIES AT LARGE, PARTICULARLY TRUE OF DEMOCRATS.

AND SO YOU REALLY CAN'T TAKE IT VERY MUCH.

NOW WHAT THE CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO BE DOING.

IS TO RE LOOKING AT WHERE DID WELL AND EMPHASIZE FROM HERE TO THE NEXT ELECTION WHERE THEY NEED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND TRY TO BOLSTER THAT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

DOCTOR MCMANUS.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> COMING UP, MORE PRIMARY ELECTION COVERAGE AS WEAK.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF POLITICAL EXPERTS SAY REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION, WINNING CANDIDATES SEEM TO HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON.

THERE.

WILLL ESTABLISHED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

VOTERS APPEARING TO VALUE THE LOCAL CONNECTIONS OVER HOW MUCH MONEY WAS SPENT CAMPAIGNING.

10 CANDIDATES RAN FOR THE GOP NOMINATION IN THE RACE FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

19 REPORTEDLY SPENDING AT LEAST 9 MILLION DOLLARS BUT VOTERS RALLY TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSMEN AND RESIDENT TIM SHORTT SOUL INSTEAD OF THE TRUMP ENDORSED CANDIDATE CATALINA LAUGH.

FOR MORE ON THE PRIMARY RESULTS FROM LOCAL RACES.

>> I'M JOINED BY FGCU POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR DOCTOR SANDRA PAVELKA.

>> AND WGCU HOST AND REPORTER JOHN DAVIS.

WELCOME THIS MORNING.

THANK YOU.

THANKS.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

SO WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE GOP NOMINATION FOR THE HOUSE SEAT?

19 ATTEMPTS OR TO WINNING TAKING THAT HOME.

>> WISTERIA NO SURPRISE THAT ALL GYMS FOR TOOL IS A BUSINESSMAN, LOCAL COMMUNITY MAN.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE REALLY CONSISTENT THEMES THROUGH THIS PRIMARY RACE WAS ANY ALLEGIANCE AND ALLIANCE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TIM'S HORSE WILL REALLY PROVE THAT EVEN THOUGH THE RACE WAS RATHER CROWDED AND THERE WAS WAS REALLY PUMPED WITH A LOT OF MONEY.

THIS THIS YEAR IS ALL YOURS THAT THE TEAMS DURING OUR ELECTION PERIOD.

BUT BUT WE'RE TOLD CAME OUT ON TOP AND REALLY PROVE THAT THAT THAT COMMUNITY STOOD BEHIND HIM.

>> JUST TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT.

YEAH, CROWDED RACE.

10 CANDIDATES.

BUT AGAIN, AND THIS IS JUST ANECDOTAL.

SOMETHING I KEPT HEARING FROM REPUBLICAN VOTERS IS LIKE IT'S LIKELY ATTACK OF CHICAGO POLITICS BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MANY OF THESE CANDIDATES WHO HAD JUST VERY RECENTLY MOVED INTO THE DISTRICT TO RUN FOR THIS SEAT AND WHO HAD HAD FAILED CONGRESSIONAL CONGRESSIONAL BEDS IN THE PAST AND NEW YORK AND THEN ILLINOIS AND I DON'T KNOW.

I FOUGHT CATALINA LIFE WOULD HAVE PERFORMED BETTER AT THE POLLS.

SHE DID HAVE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT BUT THAT THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT CAME VERY LATE IN THE GAME AFTER A LOT OF EARLY VOTING.

MAIL-IN VOTING ALREADY COME IN.

SO THAT REALLY DIMINISH ANY KIND OF BENEFIT THAT WOULD HAVE PROVIDED TO HER.

>> IT ALSO SPEAKS TO GRASSROOTS EFFORTS AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE.

ABSOLUTELY IS ALMOST LIKE WE'RE GOING BACK TO GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGNING OLD TIME POLITICS RIGHT AND I THINK IT'S GREAT.

I THINK THAT SEEING PEOPLE SAYING THESE CANDIDATES KNOCKING ON DOORS, SEEING THE INTEREST THAT WE SAW IN THIS PRIMARY IS SO EXCITING.

OF COURSE, I'M A LITTLE BIASED BECAUSE I'M A POLITICAL SCIENTIST.

BUT I THINK THIS IS INCREDIBLE AND TO SEE THAT TYPE OF EXCITEMENT AND IN OUR AREA IS IS WONDERFUL.

>> AND THEN WHAT ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE, VICTOR ARIAS?

>> WELL, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY HE'S A DEMOCRAT AND A VERY, YOU KNOW, STRONG HOLD REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HE JUST NEEDS TO KIND OF GET HIS HIS MESSAGE OUT THERE.

AND I THINK TO NOW INDIVIDUALS ARE VOTERS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING IN WASHINGTON LOCALLY AND THEY REALLY WANT TO HEAR ABOUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO IMPACT.

YOU KNOW, THEIR THEIR BANK ACCOUNT IMPACT THEIR FAMILY IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND THERE IS A BUSINESS OWNER.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO RESONATE WITH PEOPLE IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING THOSE ISSUES.

>> I WILL SAY I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT ROBERT NEELD DIDN'T PERFORM BETTER IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

>> YOU KNOW, HE'S A LIFELONG SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA AND HE'S AN ACCOUNT AND HE'S A RUN FOR THE SEA.

AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE PAST.

AND JUST IN INTERVIEWS I'VE HAD WITH HIM OVER THE YEARS REALLY JUST DOES SEEM TO HAVE A SOLID GRASP ON THE ISSUES AND IS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE HIS POSITION WHILE SO I WAS SURPRISED HE DIDN'T PERFORM BETTER.

>> NOW, ANOTHER HIGH-PROFILE RACE LOCALLY.

THE LEE COUNTY COMMISSION SEAT.

AMANDA COCHRAN BEAT THE INCUMBENT.

TRISH PETROSKI, I BELIEVE BY 11,000 VOTES.

WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THIS WHEN THIS WAS DISTRICT 5?

AND THAT INCLUDES PART OF OLGA ALVA, KIND OF EAST LEE COUNTY, OLDEST CARS OR AMENDMENTS TO STREET SOON >> DON'T ASK YOU YOUR GARDEN.

>> BUT I THINK THIS WAS REALLY A REAL CRITICAL ELECTION FOR FOR DISTRICT 5, ESPECIALLY NOW WHILE IT'S A COUNTY WIDE ELECTION.

THEY DO REPRESENT THEIR DISTRICT.

SO IT IS DISTRICT 5 AND AMANDA COCHRAN LIFELONG LEE COUNTY IN.

SHE'S LIVED IN ALVA FOR I THINK PRETTY MUCH HER WHOLE LIFE.

AND SHE ALSO RAN AGAINST MY CREAM.

WELL, BEFORE, OBVIOUSLY WHEN WHEN CREAM ALE FIRST RAN AND ACTUALLY WON THE DISTRICT EXCEPT DIDN'T WIN THE COUNTY WIDE BECAUSE OF THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS WERE WERE WHICH WERE REALLY INTERESTING.

AND NOW SHE'S GOING TO BE A CASE STUDY, I THINK, FOR FOREVER BECAUSE OF THAT.

BUT SO A MAN DEBATE OUT, TRISH PETROSKI IN THIS ELECTION AND SHE HAD BEEN OBVIOUSLY APPOINTED VERY RECENTLY BACK IN DECEMBER BY GOVERNOR DESANTIS.

BUT SHE HAD LIVED IN THE DISTRICT VERY LONG.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF CONTROVERSY OVER THAT.

HOWEVER, SHE ALSO SHE BEING TRISH HAD OUTSPENT AMANDA SIGNIFICANTLY.

YES.

AND AMANDA COCHRAN CAME OUT AND 1 THAT ELECTION LAST NIGHT AND IT WAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FOR LEE COUNTY IN FOR DISTRICT 5.

YEAH.

FOR THE LAST ELECTION AND AS YOU WERE SAYING, IT.

>> IT REALLY INDICATES ARE VOTERS WHO LIVE IN THE DID BUY A MARCH, SUPPORT HER.

AND IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THIS TIME AROUND THERE WAS NO DEMOCRAT IN THIS RACE.

SO THIS WAS AN OPEN UNIVERSAL PRIMARY.

EVERY VOTER IN LEE COUNTY, REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION, GOT TO CAST A VOTE.

AND I'M I'M TRULY CURIOUS ABOUT HOW IT WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN IF THIS HAD BEEN A CLOSED PRIMARY.

>> AND AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THAT COMMUNITY THEME WHERE WHAT WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPACTING DISTRICT 5?

IF YOU THINK THE GROWTH, ESPECIALLY THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE ROADS.

>> SO WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THEIR WORLD CHARACTER BUT DISTRICTS.

AND THERE'S JUST MORE AND MORE DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE.

WE SEE A CHANGING EVERY DAY.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT'S WHAT MOTIVATED A LOT OF PEOPLE, AT LEAST THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> TO GET OUT AND VOTE ON TO SINK.

IT SHOWS A LOT OF CITIZENS ARE REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO SOME OF THESE KEY RACES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AT EACH OF THE 4 LEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD RACES, INCUMBENTS WON.

>> WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?

WELL, JUST 2 OF THE INCUMBENT WON BECAUSE THERE WERE 2 CANDIDATES IN THE RACE, BUT THERE WERE 2 OTHER SEATS WHERE BOTH OF THE INCUMBENTS WILL NOW ADVANCE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION, ALONG WITH ONE OF THE CHALLENGER, SAM FISHER DEFEATED CHALLENGER JIM MCDOUGAL FOR THE DISTRICT.

ONE SEAT.

JADA LANGFORD, FLEMING DEFEATED INDIA PULL NCA IN THE AT-LARGE DISTRICT.

6 RACE ARMOR PERSONS IN THE DISTRICT.

5 RACE.

HE'S THE INCUMBENT.

HE GOT THE VOAST THE MOST VOTES, BUT HE DIDN'T REACH THAT 50% THRESHOLD TO WIN THE RACE OUTRIGHT.

SO HE'S GOING TO FACE CRYSTAL JOHNSON IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

LIKEWISE INCUMBENT DEBBIE JORDAN EARNED THE MOST VOTES IN HER RACE BUT NOT ENOUGH TO HIT THAT 50% THRESHOLD.

SO SHE FACES CHALLENGER, ANTONE BORE AND NOVEMBER.

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES TENDED TO CAMPAIGN ON PLATFORMS OF FISCAL TRANSPARENCY, TEACHER RETENTION AND PARENTAL RIGHTS.

THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT ELECTION FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THEY'RE NAVIGATING A 92.0, 4 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT AND THE STRATEGIC BUDGET REALIGNMENT 457 STAFF CONTRACT NON-RENEWAL NOTICES HAVE ALREADY GONE OUT AND THIS IS THE 8TH LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

THE 27TH LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HELD A FORUM ALONG WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN, VOTERS OF LEE COUNTY.

WE INVITED ALL THE CANDIDATES IN THIS RACE TO PARTICIPATE.

DEBBY JORDAN WAS THE ONLY INCUMBENT WHO DID PARTICIPATE IN THAT RACE.

AND SO I THINK WHAT WE SAW WITH A LOT OF THESE CHALLENGERS WERE MOM'S OF STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT WHO ARE NOT POLITICIANS.

AND WE'RE ALMOST GETTING INTO THIS RACE RELUCTANTLY BECAUSE WHEN THEY WOULD, THEY TALKED ABOUT SPEAKING AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIODS AND BOARD MEMBERS LIKE NOT PAYING ATTENTION, ALMOST LOOKING BORED AND SO I THINK IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BOARD GOING FORWARD.

AND I THINK A FUTURE ELECTION YEARS, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MORE AND MORE PARENTS COME OUT.

WHO DON'T CONSIDER THEMSELVES.

POLITICIANS DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED, BUT THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE A GREATER SAY AND WANT TO FEEL MY PARENTS ARE BEING HEARD.

AND RIGHT NOW THAT JUST ISN'T THE MOOD.

I TOTALLY AGREE, JOHN, YOU ARE RIGHT ON WITH THAT.

I AGREE.

>> NOW IN CAPE CORAL, RESIDENTS CERTAINLY MADE THEIR VOICE HEARD AND THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THEIR INCUMBENT MAYOR JOHN GUNTER, WHO IS NOW OUSTED.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT RACE >> SO HE ACTUALLY EVEN JUST FINISHED 3RD IN THAT RACE.

HE FINISHED A DISTANT 3RD.

THAT WAS A BIT OF A SHOCK TO ME.

SO NOW, BUT WE'RE GOING TO SEE MOVING FORWARD IS CANDIDATES.

LISA COHEN, ATKINSON AND RICK HARRISON ADVANCING TO THE GENERAL ELECTION ERICSSON'S A RETIRED ARMY VETERAN AND HE ALSO WORKED AS A PARAMEDIC.

HE GOT THE MOST VOTES AT 32%.

COHEN ATKINSON IS A REAL ESTATE BROKER AND OWNER OF VALOR REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

SHE'S BEEN A CAPE CORAL RESIDENT SINCE 1990, SHE BROUGHT IN ABOUT 24 AND A HALF PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

BUT AS FAR AS GUNTER'S THE FEET, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN PUT THAT ENTIRELY ON HIM AND HIS CAMPAIGN.

I THINK HE SORT OF REPRESENTS THIS ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL CAPE CORAL GOVERNMENT, THAT RESIDENTS JUST HAVEN'T BEEN HAPPY WITH AND I KIND OF.

>> IF AL MANSOUR HERE, THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISGRUNTLED OF VOTERS IN CAPE CORAL, NOT ONLY FOR THE MAYOR, BUT FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, RIGHT LIKE SOME TIME.

THEY THEY VOTED ON A A VERIFICATION, A VOTER VERIFICATION AND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT AS WELL.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY I THINK, TO THE HEART OF A LOT OF THE CAPE CORAL VOTERS ALONG WITH THAT COMES WE'RE COMING BACK TO THE THEME OF COMMUNITY.

CAPE CORAL IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERDEVELOPMENT.

THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE AND WHO WILL PAY FOR THAT RIGHT?

WHAT HAPPENED?

THE DECISION WHICH JAYCEE PARK SO SO THIS IS COMING BACK.

FULL CIRCLE REALLY TO THE TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOME CHANGES IN THEIR IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.

OFFICIALS NOW IN BONITA SPRINGS VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY SAID YES TO THE REFERENDUM TO BRING THE BURKE PROJECT.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT AND WHAT THAT ME.

SO I'M NOT SURPRISED THAT >> THIS PAST, BUT I WAS SURPRISED BY THE MARGIN OF IT BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE TEND TO VOTE IN A FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE WAY.

AND IF YOU'RE VOTING TO ALLOW YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO BONDS, BORROW 30 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THIS.

THIS GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT.

I MEAN, THAT'S NO SMALL CHUNK OF CHANGE.

THAT'S A HUGE COMMITMENT ON THE VOTERS PART.

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT IT SHOWS THAT THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO FOR IMPROVING THE COMMUNITY I MEAN, IT'S 35 MILLION DOLLARS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO BOMB TO.

THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY BACK OVER A SERIES OF DECADES.

BUT IF THIS PROJECT DOES GO FORWARD, IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT COMMUNITY ASSET.

IT'S GOING TO BE THIS TRAIL FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS ON WHAT IS NOW LIKE AN OLD RAIL LINE THAT'S NOT REALLY USED ANYMORE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE A REALLY REMARKABLE PROJECT FOR CYCLISTS AND FOR RUNNERS TO GIVE THEM A SAFE CORRIDOR.

>> YOU REALLY GREAT BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY OF BENITA SPRINGS INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY WITH THE LATEST COURT.

THANK YOU.

>> WITH A PRIMARY IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR, WE ARE NOW FOCUSED.

>> ON THE UPCOMING MIDTERM ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

AND YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL THE POLITICAL HAPPENINGS BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE.

WGCU DOT ORG.

AFTER THE BREAK.

GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT LIES BENEATH HOW AN UNDERWATER THE SEA BED OF THE GULF IS NOT WELL MAPS OR EVEN UNDERSTOOD.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS KIMBERLY'S REEF, THE RESEARCH WE'VE CREATED BY FGCU IS SO IMPORTANT.

THE RESEARCHERS ARE STUDYING WHAT'S CALLED THE BENTHIC ZONE.

WGCUS PAM.

JAMES HAS THE LATEST DISPATCH FROM THE REEF.

>> SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS UNDERWAY AT FTC USED KIMBERLY'S REEF, AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

STUDENTS AND STAFF FROM FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY DIVE INTO THE 6 UNDERWATER VILLAGES OF SUBMIT CULVERTS.

THEY'RE INVESTIGATING THE ENTIRE WATER COLUMN SURROUNDING THE VILLAGES FROM THE CURRENT AND TIDES ABOVE THE FISH LIFE IN AND AROUND AND THE WILDLIFE AT THE BOTTOM >> ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS THAT WE'VE SEEN IS HOW FISHES ARE SORT OF MODIFYING AND ADDING TO THE REEF.

SO FISH IS AND ALSO STONE CRABS LIKE TO EXCAVATE AND OR THE REEF WHERE IT LIES ON THE SEAFLOOR.

AND THEY'VE ACTUALLY KICK THE SAND AND MUD AWAY FROM THE REEF AND EXPOSE THE UNDERLYING LIMESTONE ROCK, WHICH IS ALMOST CREATING, ARE REVEALING ANOTHER RELIEF AROUND THE FOOTPRINT OF THE ARTIFICIAL REEF THAT WE'VE PLACED IN THE RING TERMS.

THE SEAFLOOR WHERE THE STONE CRABS RESIGNED IS CALLED THE BENTHIC ZONE.

SO ANYONE WHO STUDIES?

>> SEA GRASSES OR CORAL REEFS OR AND KELP BEDS OR SPONGE IS VERY WOULD CALL THEMSELVES A BENFICA COLLEGE.

JUST ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE FOR HIM IS REEF IS WHAT'S ACTUALLY IN THE WATER.

THAT COULD SETTLE ON KIM'S REEF.

AND THEN IF THERE'S THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO FACILITATE THINGS LIKE CORALS AND SPONGES ARE THE COOL IN CRESTING HOOVER TO REST.

I'M A CORAL REEFS.

SO EXCITING TO KIND OF BRING THEM TO COMES REEF BECAUSE THEORETICALLY, THERE'S NO REASON THEY SHOULDN'T BE IN THE WATER OFFSHORE.

WE DON'T HAVE THE EXACTLY THE SAME TYPES OF CORAL SAYS THEY HAVEN'T.

>> CLEAR ON POLLUTED WATERS OF THE KEYS.

>> BUT WE DO HAVE SEVERAL SPECIES OF CORAL THAT ARE HEARTY AND CAN LIVE IN OUR WATERS.

THEY BUILD THESE REALLY NICE HABITATS.

AND SO THEY WOULD.

>> BASICALLY LIKE FACILITATE THE GROWTH OF ARTIFICIAL REEF, MAKING A BIGGER AND THEN THEY ACT AS A PRIMARY PRODUCER.

AND SO THEY ACTUALLY BRING IN A FOOD SOURCE FOR THE REFUND SO THAT CAN HELP LIKE SELF SUSTAINED 3 FICO SYSTEM CORALS AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES LIKE OYSTERS AND MUSSELS ARE ALSO CRITICAL BECAUSE THEY HELP FILTER WATER.

>> WATER QUALITY IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE WATER SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED GRANTS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.

>> SO WE'RE CLOSELY MONITORING THE WATER QUALITY AT EVERY STATION THAT WE LOOK AT THE LIFE ON THE BOTTOM BECAUSE WE THINK THAT WATER QUALITY PARTICULAR THE INFLUENCES OF POLLUTION DISCHARGES FROM THE COAST CAN INFLUENCE WHAT TYPE OF LIFE IS ABLE TO DEVELOP ON THE BOTTOM.

>> FGCU YS, INITIAL RESEARCH STUDY TELL POLLUTION IMPACTS LIGHT AND OXYGEN AND WATER.

THEY CONTRASTED TO OFFSHORE AREAS.

ONE NEAR THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER WHICH CARRIES POLLUTANTS FROM LAKE OKEECHOBEE AND WATERSHED DRAINAGE FROM A LARGE PART OF LEE COUNTY.

THE SECOND AREA IS FURTHER SOUTH OFFSHORE OF COLLIER COUNTY.

AND FARTHER FROM THE RIVERS, POTENTIAL INFLUENCE.

KIMBERLY'S REEF LIES IN BETWEEN.

>> WELL, WE CALL IT THE PLUME OF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE.

SO BASICALLY THAT A POLLUTED WATER FROM THE ESTUARY DOESN'T JUST INSTANTLY DISPERSE INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO AND AND WE IT'S QUITE EASY TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE DIVING.

IF YOU'RE IN THAT PLUME OF EXTREME WATER BECAUSE IT WILL BE DARK WATER WILL BE GREEN AND BROWN.

THE DARK WATER CAN BLOCK LIGHT.

>> AND SO IF YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE RELYING ON SUNLIGHT TO GROW, HAVING THAT CLEAN WATER COME OVER COULD BE POTENTIALLY DETRIMENTAL.

AND SO WE'RE JUST KIND OF USING KIMBERLY'S REEF IS A STUDY SYSTEM TO LOOK AT THE IMPACTS OF LIKE LOCAL ISSUES IN TERMS OF WATER QUALITY ON OUR LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS.

>> THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 SIDES IS DRAMATIC.

SO THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF.

THE VISUAL WATER QUALITY.

>> YOU SEE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST IN THE MOUTH OF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE COMPARED TO 33 MILES OFFSHORE.

>> SO THIS IS A GREAT VISUAL OF WHAT GOOD WATER QUALITY DOES FOR THE THINGS THAT CAN GROW IN THE BOTTOM.

IF IT FINDS HARD SUBSTRATE IF THAT'S AVAILABLE, THE WATER QUALITY IS GENERALLY GOOD.

LIFE WILL FIND A WAY.

>> BUT FOR DR, DOUGLAS, IT'S NOT JUST THE BENTHIC ZONE IN LOCAL WATER THAT HE'S TROUBLED BY SOMETHING I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE MENTALITY OF.

>> YOU KNOW, IF SOMETHINGS 30, YOU JUST GET IT AWAY, SEND IT, SEND IT DOWN STREAMS AND THAT FURTHER OUT INTO THE OCEAN.

BUT NOTHING EVER REALLY GOES AWAY.

THE PLANET IS ROUND RIGHT.

AND SO THE POLLUTION THAT WE'RE EAGER TO SEND DOWN OUR CANALS AND OUT TO SEE IT LINGERS AROUND IN THE OCEAN AND IT CAN STILL CAUSE HARM.

>> WGCU PUBLIC MEDIA'S LATEST DOCUMENTARY TIMBER LEASE REFUND UNDER WATER LIVING LABORATORY CHRONICLES THE ORIGINS AND EFFORTS BEING MADE BY THIS REMARKABLE SUBMERGED RESEARCH FACILITY.

IT PREMIERES THURSDAY, OCTOBER FIRST AT 08:00PM RIGHT HERE ON WHEC UTV.

COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

FAKE 9-1-1.

CALLS ARE OVERLOADING EMERGENCY SERVICES.

WE LEARN A BIT MORE ABOUT THE TROUBLING TREND OF SWATTING FROM A SPECIAL AGENT IN THE FBI AND HOW FEDERAL AGENTS ARE RESPONDING TO THE RISE IN HOAXES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.