U.S. House District 10 | Democratic primary

Winner: Bob Hackworth

It’s unusual for this many Democrats to even challenge U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, a Republican from Indian Shores who has spent about 38 years in Congress and has brought millions in federal dollars to Pinellas County. All three Democrats oppose drilling off the coast of Florida, want to end the Iraq War, guarantee health coverage to citizens and invest in alternative energy. The winner of the Democratic primary for District 10 will go on to face the formidable incumbent.

	Bob Hackworth, 53	Max Linn, 48	Samm Simpson, 54
Experience	Elected mayor of Dunedin in 2006, after winning two terms on the City Commission beginning in 2002. A former registered Republican, Hackworth said his record in the nonpartisan position of mayor has been liberal — focusing on environmental issues, civil rights and fiscal responsibility during an economic downturn. He runs an educational printing company.	Ran unsuccessfully as a Reform Party candidate for governor in 2006, winning 1.9 percent of the vote. Before that, Linn led Florida Citizens for Term Limits to impose and preserve term limits on the Florida Legislature. A former Republican, the third-party supporter turned to the Democratic Party after finding a third party run wasn’t politically viable. He is a retired financial planner.	Opposed Young in 2006, earning 34 percent of the vote. A political novice then, she has developed a loyal following by emphasizing civil liberties and criticizing the Bush administration. Simpson has been registered as a Democrat the longest but considered changing parties to Republican to vote for Ron Paul because of his opposition to the Iraq War. She is a freelance broadcaster.
Reasons for running	Believes this is the year to change the failed policies of the Bush administration. Hackworth wants voters to trade the Republican incumbent for a citizen-legislator.	A multimillionaire, Linn wants to bring fiscal responsibility and independence from special interests to Congress.	Says she’s running because she is a patriot and would lay down her life to uphold the Constitution. She believes the country needs leaders with compassion.
How they differ on the issues	Favors universal, affordable health care. He supports fair trade with labor and environmental standards. On immigration, he would support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.	Supports single-payer health care. He wants to impose term limits on Congress. He supports tariffs to prevent American jobs from going overseas. On immigration, he says illegal immigrants are stressing social services and need to come here legally.	Supports single-payer health care. On immigration, she credits the North America Free Trade Agreement with putting Mexicans out of work. Simpson also wants labeling on genetically modified food and supports a new, independent investigation of 9/11.
Why they’re best to beat Bill Young	Hackworth says his experience as an elected official and his moderate positions make him the most viable Democratic candidate in a Republican district. “The candidate who can present themselves as a credible leader, who has some experience governing is going to be given the benefit of the doubt that it’ll take to retire a 38 year incumbent. I’m the only person who can present that to the voters in the general election.”	Linn says he will bring Bill Young’s record home to the voters and show them that a vote for the incumbent is as good as a vote for Dick Cheney. “I see myself as the only candidate ... who has made significant change in the state of Florida and taken up major issues and gotten results. ... My track record is one of taking on big challenges and winning.”	Simpson argues her life experience as a single mother and her professional work as a Raymond James marketing executive have prepared her for Congress. She says she will speak the truth, citing her run in 2006 against Young. “I have courage and I have vision and I have leadership. I was out there when nobody else was out there.”
Assets	Bank accounts, IRAs, stock.	Stock, property.	Stock, property.
Liabilities	None.	Margin loan.	None.
Source of income	H&H Publishing Co, City of Dunedin.	Max Linn Management.	Freelance fees from companies, city of Dunedin.
Personal	Married to Gwynne; two children.	Never married.	Divorced; grown daughter, grandson.
Web site	Yes	Yes	Yes
E-mail	Yes	Yes	Yes

About the job: This U.S. House of Representatives seat represents most of Pinellas County, excluding most of south St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Safety Harbor and part of Palm Harbor. U.S. representatives serve two-year terms and are paid $169,300.