Bruce Cotton v. Janet Long

Bruce Cotton has collected over 1,000 petitions to have his name placed on the ballot for state House District 51, held currently by Democrat Janet Long.

“Bruce’s efforts were remarkable,” said Doug McAlarney, Cotton’s campaign consultant and a former Deputy Director for the Republican Party of Florida House Campaigns.  “I’ve seen many hard-working candidates over the years, but Cotton is definitely playing for keeps.  Now is the time for the Republican Party to move forward, united for victory in November.”

Democrats gain registration edge in Pinellas

For the first time in over 20 years, there are more registered Democrats in Pinellas County, the birthplace of the Florida GOP, than registered Republicans. Democrats had been gaining steadily in recent months, and are now on top 233,240 to 233,181.

"That’s awesome," said county Democratic chair Toni Molinaro. "In Pinellas County, we’re pretty tired of the same old, same old, it’s not getting us anywhere."

Though the GOP has been the stronger party in Pinellas for 50 years, the parties have changed leads several times. The last time Democrats were ahead was the general election in 1984. And the GOP still enjoys a cash and organization advantage.

"We expected it," said GOP chair Tony DiMatteo. "It's not indicative of how a party of a district will perform in November."

"Hidden agenda" behind block of Swiftmud boss?

Somebody in Tallahassee doesn’t like Dave Moore. This week, the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee confirmed the appointment of the executive directors of four of the state’s five water management districts. But the fifth one -- Dave Moore of the Southwest Florida Water Management District -- didn’t even make it on the agenda.

--Craig Pittman

Orlando rail gets Tampa Bay area surge

Pinellas County Commissioner Ronnie Duncan has urged Tampa Bay lawmakers this week to support the disputed $641-million plan to bring commuter rail to the Orlando area. And the Tampa Bay Partnership -- which promotes business investment -- has begun supporting the project that critics say benefits CSX too much.

"While I am certainly aware of the revenue shortfalls of state government, I believe that investing in this initiative will produce significant returns in the future," Duncan wrote to lawmakers Monday. Duncan is vice chairman of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority.

Supporters hope Duncan and the partnership can help provide momentum as lawmakers decide whether to approve a crucial insurance-related piece of the deal in the waning days of the legislative session.

Let them pitch tents

The City of Belleair Beach has a problem. They are tearing down the old city hall building and putting up a new one. They've moved city hall offices into a two bedroom house, but have no churches, schools or other public buildings where the city council can meet.

Without legislative approval, city officials cannot meet outside the city, so Rep. Jim Frishe, R-St Petersburg, stood before the House Government Efficiency and Accountability Council Wednesday seeking approval of a bill that would let the council meet somewhere else.

Democrats overtaking GOP in Pinellas

The birthplace of the Florida GOP, Pinellas County, is on the verge of turning Democratic blue. The latest voter registration statistics show there are only 805 more Republicans in Pinellas than Democrats. Back when Al Gore and George W. Bush essentially tied in Florida Pinellas had nearly 30,000 more Republicans than Democrats.

Rene Flowers commits to Pinellas commission bid

Former St. Pete City Council member and Florida League of Cities president Rene Flowers has told the Buzz she's in the race for Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart's seat. Stewart is stepping down.

Flowers, 43, joins a field that includes fellow Democrat Darden Rice and Republican School Board member Nancy Bostock.

Flowers said that if elected she will focus on creating affordable housing and higher wage jobs and explore areas where the county and cities can consolidate services.

Max Linn jumps on Bill Young controversy

A robo call that hit today in U.S. Rep. CW Bill Young's district: "Hey did you read this week’s newspaper article about your congressman, Bill Young steering federal funds to companies where his sons are employed? $73 million! That’s just not right. That’s why I’d encourage you to write a letter to the editor expressing your outrage. And know there is another choice this year, Democrat Max Linn."

Hire a son of Congressman Young, get money?

Two sons of U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young work for Pinellas County companies that have received millions of dollars in federal money thanks to the congressman.

Patrick Young, 20, is a security administrator in the downtown St. Petersburg office of Science Applications International Corp. and another son, Billy Young, 23, is an outreach specialist with National Forensic Science Technology Center. Both employers are big beneficiaries of Rep. Young, a senior Republican from Indian Shores who has been chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and is now the top-ranking Republican on its defense subcommittee. He has used his clout to steer millions of dollars to his sons' employers, both before and after they got their jobs. Read it here.

Rene Flowers weighing Pinellas commission bid

Former St. Petersburg City Council member Rene Flowers told the Buzz today she's leaning toward a run for the countywide Pinellas County Commission seat being vacated by Bob Stewart and hopes to make a final decision Friday.

Flowers, who served on the city council from 1999 until January 2008 and was president of the Florida League of Cities in 2006 and 2007, joins a field of hopefuls that includes fellow Democrat Darden Rice and Republican School Board member Nancy Bostock.

"I think I could bring something to the climate," said Flowers, who stressed the importance of greater cooperation between the city and county. "This will be very interesting for an African-American woman to run and, prayerfully, win, in a countywide race."

Sebesta says no to Pinellas Commission

Former state Sen. Jim Sebesta had been weighing a run for the Pinellas County Commission seat being vacated by his friend Bob Stewart. But today Sebesta told the Buzz the commission is not for him. He's busy with his government consulting work and hopes to help orchestrate public/private partnerships that will bring elevated light-rail to Tampa Bay and a system of high-speed rail to connect Florida's major cities. In the near future, he said, a private company will be ready to announce its interest in taking part in the ambitious project.

With Sebesta out, that leaves Pinellas School Board member Nancy Bostock and one-time St. Petersburg City Council candidate Darden Rice in the race to replace Stewart.

Pinellas' Stewart won't seek re-election

UPDATE: Democrat Darden Rice has committed to running for Stewart's seat, saying she believes she has a strong chance to snatch a victory from the GOP. Nancy Bostock has filed. Republican Jim Sebesta said he plans to make a decision Monday.

Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart said today he will not seek another term. Stewart, a veteran Pinellas politico who served on the St. Petersburg City Council before being elected to the commission in 1994, said he had anguished over the decision for months.

"I will enormously miss the life of an elected official," said Stewart, 70. "I have been blessed and honored."

Stewart, the commission's current chairman, said he planned to spend more time with his family in Colorado, where his three sons and grandchildren live. Expect Pinellas School Board member Nancy Bostock, like Stewart a Republican, to soon enter the race. Former state Sen. Jim Sebesta, a Republican, and Darden Rice, a Democrat, have also expressed interest in the countywide seat.

Rouson wins HD 55

ST. PETERSBURG — Darryl Rouson, the hard-charging attorney and former head of the local NAACP, beat out two other contenders Tuesday in the Democratic primary to replace former Rep. Frank Peterman in the state Legislature. Rouson won 44 percent of the vote, beating activist and educator Charles McKenzie with 30 percent and St. Petersburg City Council member Earnest Williams with 25 percent.

Story here.

No second term for Duncan; Gallucci enters race

Pinellas County Commissioner Ronnie Duncan won't run for re-election in November. After having presided as commission chairman last year during the Jim Smith land deal, he faced a potentially ugly contest. But Duncan, 50, said that prospect played little role in his decision. The job just took too much time from family, he said.

"My children are 5 and 10 years old and I want to spend more time with them as they are growing up," Duncan said.

Pinellas School Board member Jane Gallucci annouced today she would seek Duncan's seat. She faces Ray Brooks in the Republican primary. Republican Neil Brickfield is also said to be weighing a run. Paul Matton is the Democrat in the race.

Who's in and who's out in Pinellas?

Will they try for four more years or step down? That question hovers over county Commissioners Bob Stewart and Ronnie Duncan, causing uncertainty for those who would run to replace them.

Among the mix of prospective candidates: Jim Sebesta, Leslie Waters, Nancy Bostock, Darden Rice, Jane Gallucci, Paul Matton, Ray Brooks. Story here.

Rouson gathering key endorsements

The campaign trail is looking bright for state House candidate Darryl Rouson (left).

The St. Petersburg attorney secured a number of endorsements from a group of diverse community leaders recently, including Rep. Bill Heller, a Democrat from St. Petersburg, and Republican Deveron Gibbons, a vice president at  Amscot Financial and a well-known Midtown activist.

A number of St. Petersburg faith leaders also have thrown their support behind Rouson, including Pastor Manuel L. Sykes of Bethel Community Baptist Church and Pastor Louis Murphy of Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church.

Former St. Pete concilwoman backs Williams

They sat together on the St. Petersburg City Council for more than eight years. Now,  Rene Flowers is throwing her support behind her former council colleague Earnest Williams in his bid for the state Legislature. Flowers endorsed Williams today for state house District 55. On Saturday, the two went door to door to drum up support before scattered showers persuaded them to return another day.

-- Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

Arnold has his back

Rep. C.W. Bill Young got a little help from a celebrity friend and fellow Republican pol today: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger headlined a $1,000-per-plate fundraiser for the long-time Pinellas County congressman on Capitol Hill.

Turns out that Schwarzenegger, a former actor and body-building champion, has been pals with Young and his wife, Beverly, since 2003, when he visited Young while trying to convince Congress to restore $400-million the Bush administration had cut from after-school programs.

Young, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee at the time, was receptive to his cause. But what really got to Schwarzenegger was Mrs. Young's invitation for him to join her in visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

"She held my hand and said, 'Before you leave to go back to California, can I take you out to the hospital, Walter Reed hospital?'" Schwarzenegger, who was in town for a National Governors Association meeting, told the crowd. "I said yes."

Easy Recruiting for Pinellas Dems

Pinellas County Democrats are banking on the national political climate and fallout from the Jim Smith land deal to break the 50-year Republican lock on county government. Democratic leaders say the sense of optimism has made it easier to attract quality candidates for County Commission seats, constitutional officer jobs and state legislative races on the November ballot. Story here.

Three Democrats are eyeing County Commission seats: Clearwater businessman Paul Matton is seeking Ronnie Duncan's seat; Norm Roche, a veteran Democratic hopeful, has filed to run against Commissioner Karen Seel; Darden Rice, an experienced activist, is weighing a run for the seat long held by Bob Stewart. Democrats who have filed for constitutional jobs: St. Petersburg Realtor Ben Friedlander hopes to succeed Smith; Jack Killingsworth and Greg Rublee, a member of the Oldsmar City Council, want to challenge Elections Supervisor Deborah Clark; Randall Jones and John Pikramenos have filed to succeed Sheriff Jim Coats.

See you in court! Maybe not

In the first showdown over Florida's budget woes, state courts are planning to all but shut down this spring. Read more here.

Pinellas Commissioner Sebesta? Bostock?

The Buzz is that Pinellas County Commissioner Bob Stewart is looking to step down from the seat he's held since 1994, though Stewart tells us he hasn't decided yet. Who would run for his seat? Republicans we hear gearing up include former state Sen. Jim Sebesta and School Board member Nancy Bostock.

-Jose Cardenas

Gregoire for Pinellas appraiser

St. Petersburg Republican Frank Gregoire, a real estate broker, a state-certified appraiser and real estate appraisal instructor, makes his candidacy for Pinellas property appraiser official: "...As property appraiser, I will also be an advocate for much needed reforms to assessment laws and practices, including proper application of "highest and best use" standards and changing the "presumption of correctness" currently enjoyed by elected property appraisers to a more taxpayer-friendly standard. Most importantly, under my leadership, the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office will be a model for openness, ethics, integrity and world-class customer service".

The Crist-Peterman Show

[Scott Keeler | Times]
ST. PETERSBURG -- State Rep. Frank Peterman and Gov. Charlie Crist used a press conference Friday announcing Peterman’s appointment as the state's new juvenile justice secretary to promote two of Crist’s budget recommendations for the agency.

Crist wants to allocate $2.6 million for programs for the increasing number of female juvenile offenders and $2-million to provide a registered nurse at each of the state’s juvenile detention facilities.

“The new secretary understands how important it is to not only help young men but young women to,” Crist said before a crowd of 200 at the Carter G. Woodson Museum.

Peterman, who was joined at the event by his wife, children and church congregation members, said he also plans to spend the early days in his post focused on revamping the state’s school system’s zero tolerance policy, providing public defenders to juvenile offenders and looking for more diversion programs for first time offenders.

“We’ve got to divert youth away from the deep end of the system,” Peterman said. “We need to get to them early.”

-- Nicole Hutcheson, Times Staff Writer

Mike Mayo opens shop

Political consultant of Mike Mayo, a veteran of Charlie Crist's senate office, the Pinellas supervisor of elections office and the Pinellas Realtors, is putting out a shingle for his own consulting business, M2 Strategic Initiatives.  "Our main priority is helping businesses, trade associations and other organizations achieve an increased level of influence and positive exposure. In today's highly competitive environment, it takes organization, strategic planning and experience to accomplish these objectives. I have some 15 years of experience providing public affairs and communications services to political candidates, public officials, trade associations and others."

Rep. Hooper draws a challenger

First-term Rep. Ed Hooper, a Clearwater Republican, has a challenger: Democrat Neil McMullen Jr. of Dunedin, a retired Methodist minister who is development director at USF's Suncoast Alzheimer's and Gerontology Center in Tampa.

McMullen, 57, is a member of a pioneer Pinellas family with roots in the Legislature. His grandfather, Sen. Donald McMullen, wrote the bill that created Pinellas County in 1913 and his father, Neil Sr., was a House member and later a judge, ccording to a biography that was assembled by House Democratic strategist Steve Schale.

Hooper, 60, a retired firefighter, won the seat in 2006 with a 55-45 percent victory over Democrat Candice Jovan. Of the eight state House seats touching Pinellas, it's dead even, with each party controlling four seats.

Rublee challenging Deborah Clark

Greg Rublee: "Deborah Clark will finish her second four-year term as Supervisor of Elections  this year. In 1996, the voters made it clear that term limits for our constitutional officers was important to them. The Florida Supreme Court won’t allow term limits to be imposed on the SOE by law, but voters will have an opportunity to impose that limit at the polls in 2008," Rublee said. "Deborah Clark has said over and over that she does not see the value in purchasing voter-verifiable ballots and equipment, nor has she been willing to expand voter access during early voting. Where she is satisfied with the status quo, I see a need for improvement."

Clearwater voters turn out for mayoral race

Turnout is brisk in Clearwater, where voters are deciding between incumbent Mayor Frank Hibbard or challenger Rita Garvey, who served as mayor from 1987 to 1999 and is attempting a political comeback.

At the Clearwater Beach recreation center, resident Mark McCrary, 45, said Hibbard won his vote because he felt Garvey would "take the city backwards."

Minutes later, a trio of people left the center agreeing with each other that the incumbent "was the only choice" because his challenger "has been out of the loop too long."

But Louie Johnson, 30, disagreed. He said Hibbard hasn't done anything during his three years in office. Garvey won his vote.

Miles away and on the mainland, Sam Leonard, a 62-year-old retiree, left the Morningside Recreation Center after voting for Garvey. And with good reason, he said. "I'm one of those guys who says, 'vote out all the incumbents,'" he said. "I'm not happy with anything they've done in the past year. It's too bad the other two (council members George Cretekos and John Doran) didn't have opposition. They all spend too much money."

Felix and Terry Mydosh, however, don't feel that way. Now married for 53 years, the couple said "they voted for the right man."

Added Terry Mydosh: "He's so good looking."

At the northern end of the city, at the Countryside Recreation Center, four voters said they picked Hibbard and two said Garvey. Charlie Huska, a retired Clearwater High School math teacher, said he would have voted for "Hubbard, I mean Hibbard," if he could but, despite having a Clearwater address, he actually lives in the county.

"Go figure," he said.

--Mike Donila, Times staff writer

Tampa Bay turning bluer

Nowadays, Democrats are energized all over Tampa Bay, their leaders say. Voter registrations tend to verify that. People who registered as Democrats last year outnumbered their Republican counterparts in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties.

Story here

McCain at Pinellas Lincoln Day dinner

Marco Rubio is the keynote speaker, and McCain is billed as the special guest. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Carillon. Tickets are $100 from local GOP offices (727-539-6009).

Meanwhile Rudy Giuliani on Saturday will be doing the Orange County Lincoln Day (with Charlie Crist), and Sarasota Co's Lincoln Day Friday night.

Ex-St. Pete Councilman Blasts Darwin

Darwin's theory of evolution was behind the rise of Hitler in Europe and the school-shooting massacre at Columbine, a former St. Petersburg City Council member says in a letter to the Pinellas School Board in which he urges the board to expose students to alternative theories.

To read more about Bill Foster's letter, click here.

A six-figure penalty in elections case

In one of the biggest fines ever levied by the Florida Elections Commission, long-time Democratic fund-raiser Jeff Ryan has agreed to pay $209,000 to settle a case in which the FEC found that a committee he once headed committed 203 violations of the elections code by accepting donations above the $500 limit, plus six additional violations.

The charges stem from Ryan's involvement with Florida House Victory in 2004 and 2005, when former Rep. Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale was House minority leader. The investigation, prompted by a Miami Herald news account,  found the committee routinely accepted donations in excess of the limit which applied to House Victory because it was created to support candidates, not issues.

The first installment of $100,000 was paid last month and the remaining $109,000 is due by June 30. As monstrous as the fine is, it could have been much worse, because the law allows a maximum fine equivalent to triple the amount of the violations. "The potential penalties were probably in excess of $1.5-million," said Ryan's lawyer, Mark Herron. He said it wasn't worth the risk of taking the case through a trial -- and the likelihood of much bigger fines.

Realtor to run for Pinellas House seat

Democrat George A. Gonzalez, a Madeira Beach Realtor, has announced a bid for the State House District 54 seat held by veteran Republican pol Jim Frishe. District 54 includes much of coastal Pinellas County, from areas of Clearwater and Clearwater Beach south through Tierra Verde and Gulfport. Gonzalez, 54, was born in New York City to Cuban immigrants and moved to Florida at age 13. In early 2007, he lost a race for Madeira Beach City Commission, taking 44 percent of the vote to his opponent’s 56.

Gonzalez, 54, is one of several candidates Pinellas Democrats are fielding in 2008 who they hope can capitalize on anti-GOP sentiment at the national level. Gonzalez is keen to strike that note, saying the Republican Legislature presided over the property tax and insurance crises in Florida and has failed to seriously address the problems. “I feel that they’ve had plenty of opportunity to do right,” Gonzalez said. “Maybe it’s time to give somebody else a shot.”

Rays abandon quest for state stadium subsidy

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Tampa Bay Rays said Monday they are temporarily abandoning plans to seek a $60-million state subsidy to help pay for a new downtown waterfront stadium.

Team senior vice president Michael Kalt said the decision does not affect the team's stadium proposal or timetable. The Rays wants to build a $450-million waterfront stadium on the site of Al Lang Field that would be ready for play in 2012.

"We said from the beginning that we don't see (the state money) as crucial," Kalt said. "It's nice to have, but it's not essential. We're not in the business of pushing things through that we think are unrealistic."

More here.

State Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St Pete??

There's Buzz that former St. Pete NAACP president and friend-o-Charlie Crist Darryl Rouson, has decided to switch from Republican to Democrat to run for the state House 55 seat being vacated by Frank Peterman. Rouson apparently decided wisely that even with his strong name recognition and reputation in the district, having an "R" by his name would be a suicide mission in the heavily African-American precinct.

Rouson will take some pointed questions about opportunism and loyalty to the Democratic party, but Buzz wouldn't bet a great deal against him as he faces (former?) frontrunner St Pete city council member Earnest Williams in the Democratic primary. Definitely a race to watch.

Courting the Stonewall Democrats

Given the less than gay-friendly  attitude of some of Earnest Williams' supporters in the St Pete city council contest in 2005, there was some surprised Buzz last night when Williams made an appearance at the Pinellas Stonewall Democrats Christmas party. Maybe now that he's running in a Democratic primary for Frank Peterman's HD 55 seat, he's covering his bases. Or maybe he saw the Stonewall Democrats' muscle against Gershom Faulkner recently.

With race tightning, Rudy will return to Florida

Rudy Giuliani won't be hitting the post-Christmas sales with polls showing his lead dwindling -- or even gone -- in Florida. Giuliani will campaign in the state, including Largo for a veterans-related event, for a three-day stint starting Dec. 26 to Dec. 28.

Giuliani, who has counts on Florida to be his launchpad to the nomination, will go to the Tampa Bay area before visiting the area of Broward and Miami-Dade counties on Dec. 27 and Orlando on part of Dec. 28. He'll play off the "Ready. Tested. Now." theme he launched in last Saturday's speech, but the events will be less formal, said Elliott Bundy, a Giuliani spokesman. Roundtable events are anticipated.

Pinellas for Hillary

BJ Star, former President of the  Democratic Women’s Club of Upper  Pinellas, will be leading the recently created “Pinellas for Hillary” team. Ramsay  McLauchlan, who’s heading to New  Hampshireto help Sen. Clinton there, also played a big role at the PFH inaugural meeting last week.

Bedinghaus won't seek re-election

Former Pinellas GOP chair Paul Bedinghaus, whose tenure saw the GOP add two legislative seats and victories for Jeb in 98 and 02 and W in 04, tells us he won't seek re-election as state committeeman in July. The former state GOP treasurer who raised more than $100k for the RPOF as one of the committee of 100, cited his growing CPA practice and three kids, ages 2, 4 and 6. Plus his wife is now a judge, which precludes her from joining him at partisan events.

Thompson names Tampa Bay organizers

Republican Fred Thompson rolled out his local grassroots organizers for the Tampa Bay area. These folks -- including a number of big names -- are leading the charge as chairman for their respective counties:

In Pinellas, County Commission Chairman Ronnie Duncan; in Hillsborough, Sandy Murman, former House Speaker Pro Tem and state committeeman A.J. Matthews; in Pasco, the trifeca of Zephyrhills Councilman Danny Burgess, Dade City Mayor Pro Tem Steve Van Gorden and Property Appraiser Mike Wells; in Hernando, Commission Chairman Jeff Stabins; and in Manatee, Bradenton Vice Mayor Gene Gallo and Bradenton Councilman Patrick Roff.

For a full list of local organizers keep reading below.

Times poll: Early look at '09 mayor's race

The Buzz knows there's still two years to go, but it's never too early to prepare for "LAB"... Life After Baker. The St. Petersburg Times is publishing the results of a poll tomorrow that handicaps the 2009 mayor's race in St. Petersburg. Here's the sneak peak.

Sixty-five percent of city voters don't know who they would choose if the election were held today. Among those that have a preference:

* 14 percent support City Council member Bill Foster
* 11 percent support City Council member Rene Flowers
* 8 percent support City Council chairman Jamie Bennett
* 2 percent support Deveron Gibbons, member of the St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees

Apathy, homeless, little else outside Mahaffey

ST. PETERSBURG -- A few detours, a large police presence, and thousands of feet of barricade surrounding the newly renovated Mahaffey Theatre have interrupted daily life in the downtown area as preparations continue for tonight's presidential debate.

Joggers and cyclists, forced away from the waterfront, are now sharing a stretch of road with the homeless as they continue to their ongoing sidewalk protest.

Well-groomed reporters have begun to funnel from the arriving local news vans.

Hundreds of people, many displaying national media credentials around their necks, usher to and from the theater, thumbing feverishly at BlackBerry's and cell phones, maintaining constant contact as showtime draws near.

Straw poll: Ron Paul v. Mitt Romney?

At least 1,500 $20 tickets have been sold for tomorrow evening's  "Have Your Say in Tampa Bay" GOP straw poll and debate watch party at St. Pete's Vinoy Park. The Buzz is that two campaigns are working hardest to rack up a victory at that straw poll of Republicans in the biggest battleground region in America's biggest battleground state - Ron Paul and Mitt Romney.

"CALLING ALL RON PAUL SUPPORTERS: The Champion of the Constitution needs our help,'' declared one e-mail asking Ron Paul supporters to make a strong showing. "Everybody should play to win ... We're going to have people from all over the state here,'' Paul supporter Paul Bourgeois told us.

Romney spokeswoman Kristy Campbell was a bit more vague: "We've encouraged our supporters to go.''

Giuliani spokesman Elliott Bundy, said Giuliani supporters will have a reception at Midotwn Sundries at First Avenue S, but is more or less ignoring the straw poll: "In keeping with our policy throughout the campaign of not participating in straw polls, whether it's county straw polls or Ames, we will not be participating in that straw poll.''

DiMatteo digs Giuliani

It's well-known that Pinellas GOP Chairman Tony DiMatteo is a Rudy Giuliani guy (he's never forgiven us for not being more generous on a Rudy crowd estimate a few months back), but he's refrained from formally endorsing him. The Buzz is that the DiMatteo endorsement will come today. That would be Rudy's second FL REC chair endorsement, having already snagged Broward's Chip Lamarca.

Dubov to vie for Pinellas Property Appraiser

Pam Dubov, chief deputy to Pinellas County property appraiser Jim Smith, has announced that she will run for the seat her retiring boss has held since 1988.

Dubov, 51, is an 18 year veteran of the appraiser's office. Smith, who has been embroiled in a controversey surrounding the county's June purchase of his private land, announced Nov. 13 that he would not seek a fifth term.

At the time, he stated that Dubov would make a fantastic successor.

Dubov, an attorney who serves on the adjunct faculty at the Stetson College of Law, was a member of the first class of women to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. She joined the Pinellas appraiser's office in 1989.

A Republican, Dubov will face another GOP hopeful, Tom Minkoff, in the primary. Democrat Ben Friedlander has also filed to run for Pinellas appraiser. The general election will take place next November.

A year into term, Latvala draws opponent

Talk about an early start: Republican Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverly Billiris has filed to run for the District 4 County Commission seat now held by Susan Latvala, also a Republican. Latvala's term expires in 2010.

Roche is back

Norm Roche has announced he will campaign for the Pinellas County Commission seat now held by County Commissioner Karen Seel, whose term wraps up at the end of 2008.

In 2006 Roche lost in the Democratic primary to incumbent and eventual victor County Commissioner Calvin Harris. Some were galled when Norm's brother Brian Roche filed as a general election write-in candidate in the race. The move closed the primary to all but Democratic voters, nullifying Harris' expected support from Republicans.

In 2004 he lost to current County Commission chairman Ronnie Duncan, taking 45 percent of the vote.

Jim Smith won't run again

Politically damaged Pinellas County Property Appraiser Jim Smith will not seek a fifth term, according to his longtime top deputy, Pam Dubov. More here.

Tampa Bay's GOP straw poll

Tampa Bay's Republican party leaders are teaming up to stage a "Have your say in Tampa Bay" straw poll and debate watch rally Nov. 28 2007 at St Petersburg’s Vinoy Park for the CNN YouTube debate.

Every Republican Presidential Campaign has been invited to address the crowd.  Each $20 ticket (contact your local party to buy em) entitles the holder to a BBQ dinner, bottled water and 1 vote. A giant screen television is being set up in Vinoy Park to watch the debate which begins at 8 P.M. Straw poll results will be announced before the debate begins.

“Only one time since 1964 has the candidate that carried Florida not won the White House. You can’t win Florida without winning Tampa Bay. This straw poll is being held in the epicenter of 2008 Presidential politics. Presidential campaigns will be using this straw poll as a measure of their ground game and overall support in Tampa Bay,”  said Manatee Republican chair Kathleen King.

Precinct by precinct results in St. Pete

The Pinellas Supervisor of Elections has released the precinct by precinct results of Tuesday St. Petersburg elections. See it for yourself here. There's a lot of numbers to digest. Anything stick out to the Buzz faithful. Here's a map showing the citywide precincts if you'd like a reference.

The Mitt Mobile in Pinellas

Rudy Giuliani Florida chairman Bill McCollum had to share the spotlight with Craig Romney, the Mitt Mobile and Clearwater Mayor (and Pinellas Romney Chair) Frank Hibbard at the Veterans’ Appreciation Festival at Clearwater High School Sunday.

CW Bill Young, R-Earmarks

After being zinged by voters for unflattering pet projects like the Bridge to Nowhere and favors to big political donors, many members of Congress this year vowed to cut the pork they stuff into federal spending bills.

But that hasn't slowed Rep. C.W. Bill Young, who will send more money home than all but one member of the U.S. House. Young, 76, a Republican from Indian Shores, has slipped $128-million for pet projects into federal appropriations bills, mostly for defense contractors and colleges in Pinellas County. More here

Candidates file to oust Jim Smith

Pinellas County Property Appraiser Jim Smith hasn’t faced a challenger in 15 years, but now the days of easily cinching another term are over for the unrepentant incumbent. Republican Tom Minkoff and Democrat Ben Friedlander have filed paperwork allowing them to begin campaigning for the seat Smith has held since 1988.

Minkoff, attorney for the local GOP until recently, and Friedlander, a veteran Realtor, both are seeking office for the first time. Both say the recent debacle surrounding Smith’s sale of his private land to the county - a deal that sparked a grand jury probe - prompted them to run.

“I certainly see some problems with ethical issues,” said Friedlander, 56. “The property he sold was a multiple of what he was appraising it at.”

To read more, see tomorrow's Times.

A couple of points from last night's city election

It's hard to read much into a race where only 14,500 votes were cast out of a possible 156,146, but there are at least three things to take away from last night's results in St. Petersburg.

1. The city firefighters ran the table, endorsing all four winners. Wengay Newton's brother is the head of the St. Pete group.

2. The Pinellas Stonewall Democrats did well, too. The two candidates who said they would not attend the St. Pete Pride Parade (Montanari and Faulkner) both lost.

3. On paper, things look bad for Mayor Rick Baker, who endorsed two losers. But at least his most open and vocal critic, Bob Kersteen, lost. Kersteen wanted to fire deputy mayors Go Davis and Dave Metz.

Voters in two Pinellas cities choose leaders today

[St. Petersburg residents Patsy Golembiewski, left, and Elsie Miller leave the Coliseum after voting for today. Lara Cerri | Times]

In St. Petersburg, voters are electing four City Council members.

In Largo, two City Commission races top the ballot:

 

Seat 5: Harriet Crozier vs. John Mandujano

A 13-year veteran of the City Commission, Harriet Crozier, 63, is seeking another three-year term. Crozier's campaign is her resume.

Mandujano's campaign is Crozier's resume, too. The 52-year-old calls her record lackluster.

   

Seat 6: Woody Brown vs. Curtis Holmes

Political newcomers Brown and Holmes are running for the seat being left open by Gay Gentry.

Brown, a 37-year-old chiropractor, said his experience in the community makes him the best candidate.

Holmes, 58, is a frequent critic of City Hall who now is hoping to change things from the inside.

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Polls are open in both cities from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find your precinct and see a sample ballot by visiting the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Web site at votepinellas.com.

Stonewall Dems seek answers from Castor

The Pinellas Stonewall Democrats today sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor asking her to withdraw her endorsement of Gershom Faulkner for St. Petersburg City Council. Faulkner told the Stonewall Democrats in August that being gay is a "lifestyle" and a "choice." State Reps. Bill Heller and Rick Kriseman have previously pulled their endorsement, but Castor has not. (Faulkner is Castor's outreach director). Read the letter here.

UPDATE: The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus has joined the Pinellas Stonewall Democrats in asking Castor to withdraw her endorsement. Read their letter here.

Past dogs City Council candidate

ST. PETERSBURG — Gershom Faulkner, a first-time candidate for City Council in District 7, has the support of some of the city’s political heavyweights – Mayor Rick Baker, County Commissioner Ken Welch, state Rep. Frank Peterman.

Faulkner also has been arrested three times and faced a series of financial problems, according to a review of state and county records.

Since 1996, Faulkner has been taken to court twice for failing to pay off bank loans and has been sued for not paying his rent. This February, Wells Fargo Bank began foreclosure proceedings on his house.

A matter of PRIDE

PRIDE Enterprises, the St. Pete-based nonprofit that provides jobs and employment skills to Florida prison inmates, is being targeted for elimination by corrections chief Jim McDonough, who says PRIDE is obsolete and that the state can do a better job.

But McDonough has his work cut out for him. In the Legislature, Republicans and Democrats alike say PRIDE, despite brushes with scandal a few years ago, is doing a good job and should be left alone. More here.   

More bad news for Gershom Faulkner

State Sen. Charlie Justice told members of the Suncoast Tiger Bay group Wednesday that he's no longer endorsing Gershom Faulkner's candidacy for St. Petersburg City Council, according to people who were at the monthly lunch gathering.

Justice, D-St. Petersburg, said he withdrew his support after learning of Faulkner's belief that being gay is a "lifestyle" choice, according to Manish K. Mishra, a member of the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County who attended the meeting. Justice follows state Reps. Bill Heller and Rick Kriseman, who similarly yanked their endorsements.

Council endorsements in St. Pete

The Times editorial board made its endorsements today in four St. Petersburg City Council races. Read the endorsements here. But in case you don't feel like the extra click, the editorial board likes Herb Polson in District 1, Ed Montanari in District 3, Jamie Bennett in District 5, and Gershom Faulkner in District 7. All but Bennett, who faces "New Election" Nov. 6, are also endorsed by Mayor Rick Baker.

UPDATE: After first indicating he would stay out of the race in District 5, Rick Baker has endorsed Jamie Bennett after all. Bennett is running against "New election." If new election wins Nov. 6, the city would have to pay almost $250,000 to have a new council election in District 5. "He doesn't want the expense," Bennett said Monday afternoon. (Props to a Buzz poster for the tip).

Little city politics in a big Florida city

Bill Dudley and Ed Montanari live on opposite sides of the Vinoy Golf Club on Snell Isle. They both belong to the neighborhood's board of directors. For years, the two men's lives in St. Petersburg have intersected.

Now both are running for the St. Petersburg City Council. Against each other. The new dynamic can make life on the campaign trail a bit awkward. Read more here.

'Re-elect Herb Polson.' How could that be?

Herb Polson is running for political office for the first time in his life. But you would never know it by looking at his campaign yard signs. They say, in white uppercase letters, "Re-elect Herb Polson."

Misleading? Unethical? Polson's opponent says absolutely.

Illegal? Nope, says the state Division of Elections.

The toughest ballot rival of all?

How would you like to be running against "New Election"? St. Pete residents will choose between city council incumbent Jamie Bennett and "New Election," since Bennett's opponent Chris Kelly dropped out of the race citing exhaustion. And if New Election wins? Yup, there'll be a new election.

Kriseman, Heller pull council endorsement over anti-gay remarks

Democratic state Reps. Richard Kriseman and Bill Heller of St. Petersburg have yanked their endorsements of St. Petersburg City Council candidate Gershom Faulkner (pictured) following comments Faulkner made to a gay and lesbian political group that were seen as homophobic.

Faulkner, a Democrat running for the nonpartisan council in District 7, told members of the Pinellas Stonewall Democrats at a candidate interview last month that being gay was a "choice,''and that he could "not support the gay lifestyle'' because of his religious beliefs, according to people who attended the meeting.

"We were taken aback by his responses,'' said Rick Boylan, the president of the Pinellas gay and lesbian rights group. "Here’s a Democrat, and we’re getting answers that seem like he’s a right-wing Republican.''