Young wins 20th term, Hackworth concedes

Pinellas County's longtime congressman, Rep. C.W. Bill Young, was unscathed by anti-incumbent sentiment this year, leading his Democratic opponent by nearly 20 points.

Young won his 20th term in Congress with 61 percent of the vote. He acknowledged an anti-Republican sentiment nationwide but said he was perplexed by how the country seemed to favor Democratic congressional candidates even while they disapproved of the Democratic-controlled Congress.

"It is a very humbling experience to have this kind of support from people who know me so well," Young said. "I work hard at the job. I'm totally open and honest with what I do and I think even people who might disagree with me on issues appreciate the fact that I am what I am."

Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth claimed about 39 percent of the vote, a better performance than Young's challenger in 2006. But it was still short of the last serious challenge to Young. In 1992, Young won with 57 percent of the vote against Karen Moffitt, who took 43 percent.

"I really think we had the winning message, we just didn't have the resources to communicate," said Hackworth, who left a message at Young's campaign office congratulating him on the win. "It doesn't correlate to the national mood at all, I think. He just had that great name recognition after all those years."

Hackworth, the mayor of Dunedin, hoped to ride the change movement to Washington, telling voters they should oust the 38-year incumbent for a small businessman who would be more responsive and accountable. But he struggled to raise the money to get that message out. Young, meanwhile, ran a typically quiet campaign in which he attended community events and avoided a back-and-forth with his opponent.

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[AJS]

Congratulations Congressman Young. A well deserved win for a very deserving, and hard-working, member of Congress.

I hope Mr. Hackworth has learned that his attempts to smear Congressman Young were not only a failure, but were dishonorable.

I can only hope that Congress can now start the people's work and solve the problems we face, with Bill Young at the front of that charge for the 10th Congressional District.

This is a good thing. Rep Young got it right, we know what we can count on from him and he is honest in his dealings.

Hackworth on the other hand came across as a political opportunist with the party switching etc. No need for that.

sort of embarrasing that hackworth lost HIS personal precinct .... thats what he gets for trying to tell the vets congressman young doesnt support them!

Now Hackworth: Get on your Robo phone and apologize to all of the great American Heroes and their families that you lied to about Congressman Young. Your smear campaign was dispicable and using our soldiers as a target was purely pathetic. You are garbage.

congratulations to Congressman Young.
You have always been a distinguished and honorable man and have served the people of Pinellas County well.
Thank You.

To Susan Smith:
All that wasted hatred and ugliness for nothing. I would say you should be ashamed of yourself, but I fear you don't understand the meaning of shame.

Hackworth:
"He just had that great name recognition". Man, what is wrong with you? Of course he had that great name recognition because he does a great job. It's not his name, it's his actions. You just can't seem to get a grip on politics, can you. just shut up, Hackworth. Save your breath, you didn't get any votes but your own. What you got was the yellow dog vote, any democrat would get. Don't pat yourself on the back. You blew it for any future representation by running a smear campaign on total fabrications and lies. Neither party wants you, Bobby. Accept it.

Hackworth:
There was no "we" in your message, it was all "me". You lost in your precinct. does that tell you ANYTHING? Let me help you out. You didn't have the resources to get "your" message out because no one wanted to support you. What part of that didn't you understand. You should have shown a teeny bit of class and just Congratulated Young for a job well done instead of trying to make excuses. You will never learn.

[Young]

Mr. Young is the antithesis of an American Patriot. His duties to his community and his country are above all else, including himself. He has always put the people of Pinellas County first. He has always put the men and women who wear the cloth of the Nation first. He has always put what is right -- even if drew differences -- first. He is a man of humble beginnings and great integrity; and he deserves our admiration and thanks for what he does for us and our country. Well done, Congressman Young!

[Young]

Mr. Young is the antithesis of an American Patriot. His duties to his community and his country are above all else, including himself. He has always put the people of Pinellas County first. He has always put the men and women who wear the cloth of the Nation first. He has always put what is right -- even if drew differences -- first. He is a man of humble beginnings and great integrity; and he deserves our admiration and thanks for what he does for us and our country. Well done, Congressman Young!

Antithesis means 'opposite', doesn't it?