Retiring Lake elections chief hailed

TAVARES — Retiring Lake County Supervisor of Elections Emogene Stegall sat regally Tuesday as U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and county commissioners praised her fairness, devotion and public service over a 44-year political career.

“We are here recognizing her today because she always treated everybody the same and with respect,” said Nelson, D-Fla., during an appearance at a commission meeting.

Stegall is well-regarded for her unbiased work overseeing elections and registering voters. First elected in 1972, she is Lake’s longest-serving elected official and the only countywide Democratic officeholder.

Commission Chairman Sean Parks marveled at the 90-yearold’s lengthy service. “I’m 45 years old,” he said. “You started service when I was about 1 year old.”

Surrounded by a gaggle of children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, Stegall was invited by commissioners who wanted to honor her as she gears up for one last election on Nov. 8. She will step aside when her term expires Jan. 2.

The main reason she decided not to seek re-election is because family members didn’t want her to go through another campaign. In her last campaign in 2012, Stegall’s opponent called for “fresh blood” in the office.

“I’m going to leave you in charge of controlling the county purse strings,” Stegall, who was known for her frugal stewardship of the elections office, told commissioners. “And I know you will continue to do a good job.”

Through her time in office, Stegall has seen more than just changes in how ballots are cast. When she first started in the office in 1958, Lake had 17,000 registered voters. Now, there are more than 200,000.

Nelson pointed to societal shifts as well, including Stegall’s status as a female elected official.

“Lake County, when she started, was a segregated county,” he said. And, he said, “Think of the number of women in elected office back then and now.”

Over the summer, Nelson also spoke on the Senate floor about Stegall’s career.

“Emogene is almost synonymous ... with Lake County,” Nelson said in his Senate testimonial , later adding that her achievements are a “cause for celebration.”

County Commissioner Jimmy Conner, a Republican, said he’s known Stegall since before he was a teenager. He wasn’t the only official Tuesday who recalled knowing Stegall during their childhood.

“She’s always treated me with more respect than I deserve,” he said “And I don’t want to put partisanship in this, but I’ll tell you one thing, she is a fiscal conservative, and I honor that.”

Stegall chalked up her years in office to a simple dictum: “I have always been focused on honest, fair and transparent elections,” she said.

Officials from around Central Florida — including Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles — attended a reception later in the day for Stegall at the historic courthouse.

Speaking to a crowd of more than 50, she said, “It has been an honor. Thank you for allowing me to be here for 44 years.”

After she’s done counting her last ballot, she plans to volunteer at her church, figuring that “it’s time to make a career change.”