INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Indian River County Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan won re-election tonight by an overwhelming margin.
As of 9:32 p.m., with 37 precincts of 37 reporting, Jordan had garnered 50,856 votes, while her opponent Barry Barnard has received 15,453 votes.
The race started as five-person contest with three Republicans and two candidates without party affiliation.
Jordan and former Indian River County Commissioner Tom Lowther, the two most serious contenders, both ran as Republicans and faced off in the August primary.
Jordan beat Lowther 11,470 to 7,494 and went on to face unaffiliated candidate Barnard, a retired certified public accountant in the general election.
Jordan, who has been tax collector since 2008, started raising money in August 2011 and has taken in more than $88,000.
Barnard began fundraising early this year and shows $970 in donations on his campaign treasurer’s report, about half of which he gave himself.
The Indian River County Tax Collector makes $117,000 a year and is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses and license plates as well as collecting and distributing property taxes.
Jordan has held the office since 2008.