Former Dunedin mayor looks at county, House 45 races

Former Dunedin mayor Bob Hackworth confirmed to Bay Buzz on Friday that he's considering running for Pinellas County Commission or the Florida House District 45 seat in 2010.

Neither race has a Democrat running yet, but both would pose tests with established politicians on the ballot against Hackworth, a Democrat. The commission seat is held by Susan Latvala, a Republican. The House seat race has Pasco School Board member Kathryn Starkey and well-connected lawyer Richard Corcoran, a former top House aide.

Hackworth said he has spent most of his time considering the House race.

"I think I would have to see a path for the Democrats taking back the majority at some point during the term limits for my representation," Hackworth said.

Hackworth lost to U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, by more than 20 percentage points in 2008.

David DeCamp, Times staff writer

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Comments

[and he said never again]

ugh! Hack-man is back. another dino.

[never say never]

Bob should go for the Commission seat. The R's are going to beat the hell out of Latvala and each other in this race. The State's a long way away from cleaning it corruption out, but the BOCC is fixable with just a few more changes.

[Hackworth is the real deal!]

As much as I would like to see Bob Hackworth in the District 45 race, it is a harder race to win this late in the cycle. Yes, the Republicans are going to beat themselves up in the primary, but the Gerrymandering of this district makes it difficult to win unless there are no strong contenders in the race.

The County Commission race is the one that Hackworth could win! He's got my vote!

[awhitewolf]

...former mayors rarely do well in seeking higher office in this county...the reasons are well known...

[don't bother]

Don't even bother getting in the District 45 race. Starkey has that one sewed up and a D certainly has no chance. Once Starkey whips Corcoran in the primary it is all over in that District..

[Saint Petersblog]

Except for the fact that the current occupant of H-45 is the former mayor of Dunedin.

[A friend of Bob]

Bob should go for the county commission. The District 45 seat is gerrymandered and the R's have all the money.Besides, its going to be a long time before the Democrats ever regain control of the state house!

[awhitewolf]

...ohhhhh...there are always a few exceptions...but very very few in this matter...

[I was a former Republican and I am no DINO!]

Bob could win either race: District 45 or the County Commission seat. It's just that the Commission seat is a smaller mountain to climb.

To: 6:09 pm, just because a Republican crosses the isle, does not make him/her a DINO. Bob has not done anything to deserve a DINO label. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water!

[Just another hack.]

This jerk shouldn't even be running for dog catcher.

[A disgusted former Democrat]

The 2002 gerrymandering (oops, should call it redistricting) of District 45 was what I called “The Gus Bilirakis Full Employment Act of 2002.” In 2002 Gus was a State Representative and Democrat Kevin Jensen had announced that he would oppose Gus in Florida House District 48. Look at a map of the redistricted District 45 and note how it goes north up US 19 and Countryside Blvd to bring Kevin Jensen into District 45 from District 48. The gerrymandering also created District 48 for Gus with almost 14,000 more Republicans than Democrats.

Today the Republican friendly District 48 protects the twice-bankrupted and ethically-challenged Republican Representative Peter Nehr in the State Legislature while Republican Gus Bilirakis is happily saying “NO” to health insurance and most everything else in Washington.

Back to District 45. From 100 yards north of Kevin Jensen’s house District 45 goes south between Countryside Blvd. and US 19 to Main Street (SR 580). Then west to encompass all of Dunedin (in 2002 to pick up the popular term-limited Republican Mayor of Dunedin, Tom Anderson). Then north along the Gulf going through Tarpon Springs to reach Pasco County. On its way through Tarpon Springs District 45 travels only on the west side of Florida Avenue to leave as much of Gus Bilirakis’ home city (Tarpon Springs) in District 48. Think of that. Only the houses between the middle of Florida Avenue and the Gulf were in District 45 – a section of District 45 only one house lot wide. District 45 goes a short way north in Pasco County and then east along the county line except for three Pasco precincts, eventually going northeast to Moon Lake.

Along the way through Pasco, District 45 gave takes three precincts with more Democrats than Republicans to Pinellas District 48. With the overwhelming plurality of Republicans in District 48 that had no effect on Republican control of District 48 and helped “purify” District 45 for Republicans.

And what was the result for District 45? A nice safe district for Pinellas Republican Tom Anderson with about 5,000 more Republicans than Democrats. It has been a safe district for Tom not only because of the numbers but also because Tom has been a unique Republican who believes in fairly representing all his constituents more than just hewing to the Party line. He was our Mr. Smith who went to Tallahassee (not Washington) and if a movie were to be made about Tom it is too bad that Jimmy Stewart (RIP) can no longer play the part.

In 2010 Tom Anderson is term-limited out, and Pasco Republicans are salivating at the prospect of taking over the district from a Pinellas Republican. District 45 has about 12,000 more voters from Pasco than from Pinellas, so a Pasco representative seems a likely scenario.

That brings us back to the theme of this blog concerning whether Democrat Bob Hackworth should run for District 45 State Representative. Even though Bob was a Mayor of Dunedin, as was Tom Anderson, Bob has to climb the twin mountains of 12,000 more voters in Pasco than Pinellas and 5,000 more Republicans then Democrats in District 45.

And more than the numbers for Democrat Bob Hackworth is the ineptness of the Pinellas and State Democratic Party organizations. In my opinion the year 2010 is shaping up as a disaster for Democrats. But that is another story.

And finally consider job satisfaction. Suppose Bob Hackworth were to win in District 45. He would encounter a 2 to 1 majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives. With that overwhelming Republican majority being a Democratic Representative has about as much usefulness as mammary glands on a bull.

[another disgusted former Dem]

I'll 2nd that... well done, 9:25... well done.

[Well said!]

I agree with 9:25. That pretty well says it all!

[Schorsch is a political punk!]

It's "really, really, really, REALLY" time for the Times to block the PP's postings. This is getting pathetic... what's the deal, is Pete covering the payroll now?

[Peter Schorsch]

Well, people should stop posting stupid stuff over and over again.

[#1 Peter Fan]

Pete, don't let them get to you. You have helped St. Petersburg residents more than most will ever know. Keep up the good work! These people or person posting negative things are simply people who have been defeated and have nothing else to do except rag on your past mistakes. You know what they say.. he who throw the first stone......

[Peter the crook]

#1 Peter fan is ....Peter.

[Peter the crook]

#1 Peter fan is ....Peter

[Peter the crook]

#1 Peter fan is ....Peter

[Peter the crook]

#1 Peter fan is ....Peter

[Peter the crook]

#1 Peter fan is ....Peter.

[Peter the crook]

#1 Peter fan is ....Peter.

[Peter the crook]

#1 Peter fan is .....Peter

[Peter the crook]

#1 Peter fan is ......Peter

[Peter the crook]

Stupid is.....Peter