All the information you need for Pinellas County's most important midterm races
by Mitch PerryCHARTER AMENDMENT: ALLOWS City Council TO EXPRESS opinions on hiring of senior management
Vote yes if… you believe that the current policy denies City Council members their right of free expression when discussing big hires by the mayor. This issue blew up after City Attorney John Wolfe told councilmembers that if they didn’t zip it regarding their opinions on a new police chief, they could be removed from office. Offended by that, the council placed the issue on the ballot.
Vote no if…you fear that some rogue councilmember will use this opportunity to interfere with the mayor’s choices for top hires.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT 2 — At Large (Countywide)
Pat Gerard (D) Prior to being elected mayor of Largo in 2006, Gerard served six years on the Largo City Commission. She’s been a longtime public servant in her role as chief operating officer for Family Resources Inc., a nonprofit agency that assists troubled teens. She’s for Greenlight Pinellas, and says one of her chief goals is building up the county’s affordable housing stock.
Ed Hooper (R) This Clearwater-based former firefighter served in the Florida House for eight years, and is now hoping to bring his talents to local government. He opposes Greenlight Pinellas, but does agree that the county needs transit improvements. He’s considered a moderate, but a number of his votes in lockstep with GOP House leadership make him vulnerable.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT 4
(North Pinellas County: Oldsmar, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, parts of Safety Harbor and a small part of Clearwater)
Dave Eggers (R) Just to clarify, this isn’t the uber-hip San Francisco-based novelist and screenwriter, but the mayor of Dunedin for the past 5.5 years. Clearly the front-runner, he has by most accounts done a decent job as mayor. He supports Greenlight Pinellas.
Mark Weinkrantz (D) This airline pilot certainly possesses one of the cooler websites we’ve seen of any candidate this season (check it out at mark4pinellas.com). He’s an Air Force veteran, supports red-light cameras and Greenlight Pinellas.
Carl Forkman (No Party affiliation) Opposes Greenlight Pinellas, says his biggest priority is reviving the county’s veterans services.
Marcus Harrison (NPA) You always have to be wary about a candidate who says that he is not a politician, “nor do I have any political aspiration.” Uh, then what are you doing running for office, Mr. Harrison?
STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 20
(Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor)
Jack Latvala (R) The cantankerous veteran state legislator is the Big Daddy of the local state delegation in Pinellas. He had a big year in 2014, including finding a way to pass legislation allowing undocumented students to attend Florida universities at in-state tuition rates. Also recently came out for Greenlight Pinellas.
Tony Caso (LPF) If you like the Tea Party, vote for Caso. If not…
STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 22
(South Tampa, North St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, South Pasadena)
Jeff Brandes (R) Although this wealthy military veteran can be oh so wrong on some issues (he was the only Republican in the state Senate in 2013 who voted against a hybrid plan to bring Medicaid expansion to Florida), he’s also not your garden-variety Republican, as he’s been a cheerleader for Uber and craft breweries.
Judithanne McLauchlan (D) This USF St. Petersburg political science professor has been steeped in politics and public policy her entire life, but had never run for office until this year. She has mounted a very aggressive campaign against her well-funded opponent, running on a classic progressive platform that promotes public education, Medicaid expansion and an end to what she calls “pay-to-play politics” in Tallahassee.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 13
(Most of Pinellas County, except for Downtown and South St. Pete)
David Jolly (R) Although he ran as a “severe conservative,” David Jolly knows that being too ideological isn’t going to play in moderate Pinellas. That’s why, unlike his GOP House colleagues, he opposed the Paul Ryan budget and supports same-sex marriage. There's speculation that he’ll face a Republican challenger in 2016 because of that stance.
Lucas Overby (Libertarian) A self-described “Leftatarian,” Overby becomes the de facto opposition in this race thanks to the Democratic Party’s inability to select a nominee in this swing district, one of only a few left in the country. Expect him to get more than the 5 percent he won in the special election against Jolly and Alex Sink.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 65
(Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Palm Harbor)
Carl Zimmermann (D) Narrowly elected in 2012 after several tries, Zimmermann has taught broadcast journalism for 29 years at Countryside High School in Clearwater. He opposes efforts to expand the state’s school voucher system, and has gained attention lately by condemning a 2007 law that is forcing condominium owners to sell their units at below the price they paid for them.
Chris Sprowls (R) Sprowls is being groomed for House leadership, as in Speaker of the House, before he’s even been elected. An assistant state attorney in the Pinellas/Pasco 6th Judicial Circuit straight out of law school, he now serves as a special prosecutor in the gang unit of the State Attorney’s Office. But he’s only 30, and has made a few rookie mistakes on the campaign trail.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 66
(Pinellas beaches, from Clearwater to Indian Shores)
Larry Ahern (R) The Tampa Tribune calls Ahern a “dependable conservative.” A bill he sponsored toughening penalties for violence against unborn children was signed into law.
Lorena Grizzle (D) A Pinellas County schoolteacher, she’s for smart growth, against school vouchers, and supports funding for technical and apprentice training for those who may not be attending college.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 67
(Clearwater)
Chris Latvala (R) The scion of the inimitable Jack, Chris is extremely low-key. Though he boasts of being the “proud son” of a public school teacher, he’s also an enthusiastic supporter of school vouchers, which he says allow parents more “flexibility.” He says he’s against Medicaid expansion but would be willing to listen to the will of the people of his district.
Steve Sarnoff (D) President of the local branch of the Communications Workers of America, Sarnoff says improved education and transportation systems are required to bring more high-quality jobs to the state: “We cannot run the third largest state in the country like it’s Mississippi.”
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 68
(North of downtown St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park)
Dwight Dudley (D) Successful in his first run for office in 2012, Dudley has had Duke Energy and the Florida Public Service Commission in his crosshairs since day 1 of going to Tallahassee. Aggressive, tenacious — oh sorry, that’s Culpepper/Kurland. Well, Dudley is a criminal attorney as well.
Bill Young (R) Yes, he’s the son of the late Bill Young (he dropped the “II” from “Bill Young II” when declaring his candidacy). He supports school choice and the Second Amendment and says he is committed to policies “that protect our natural beauty while allowing our economy to grow and prosper.”
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 69
(Pinellas beaches, from Redington Shores to St. Pete Beach, Pasadena, Gulfport)
Kathleen Peters (R) Running for re-election after her unsuccessful bid for Congress last winter, Peters cares about mental health and homeless issues. But her opponent questions why that doesn’t trickle down to support for Medicaid expansion (she says it’s a failed program).
Scott Orsini (D) A St. Petersburg attorney, he says he’ll fight for middle-class families by expanding healthcare, repealing the Duke utility tax and investing in education.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 70
(South Pinellas, Southeast Hillsborough, parts of Manatee & Sarasota)
Darryl Rouson (D) Although he might be known best to some readers as the guy who tried to take away their bongs, the rest of Rouson’s agenda wouldn’t make most liberals unhappy, concentrating on poverty issues, restoring felon voting rights and substance abuse recovery programs.
Philip Garrett (NPA) An energetic candidate who supports a mostly progressive agenda.
PINELLAS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
District 4
Beverly Billiris A former mayor of Tarpon Springs, she’s been teaching at Tarpon Springs Elementary School and says she’s seen firsthand the frustrations that today’s teachers have with testing. “It’s not the teachers, it’s the mandates,” she said regarding the chief problem with education today.
Ken Peluso The former chiropractor made news at a Tiger Bay Forum in August when he was the only candidate who said creationism should be taught in the schools along with evolution. He made an about-face the next day. other pinellas races
Cantankerous veteran state Senator jack latvala (R) is up for re-election in North Pinellas' District 20, facing token opposition from Tea Party favorite Tony Caso. State Rep. Darryl Rouson (D), whose District 70 spreads into four counties (South Pinellas, Southeast Hillsborough, parts of Manatee and Sarasota), is favored against progressive candidate Philip Garrett. Incumbent District 7 School Board Member Rene Flowers wants to reduce dropout rates and institute apprentice and journeyman certifications for students in the technical trades. She's the likely winner against write-in candidate Irene Olive Cates.
Vote yes if… you believe that the current policy denies City Council members their right of free expression when discussing big hires by the mayor. This issue blew up after City Attorney John Wolfe told councilmembers that if they didn’t zip it regarding their opinions on a new police chief, they could be removed from office. Offended by that, the council placed the issue on the ballot.
Vote no if…you fear that some rogue councilmember will use this opportunity to interfere with the mayor’s choices for top hires.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT 2 — At Large (Countywide)
Pat Gerard (D) Prior to being elected mayor of Largo in 2006, Gerard served six years on the Largo City Commission. She’s been a longtime public servant in her role as chief operating officer for Family Resources Inc., a nonprofit agency that assists troubled teens. She’s for Greenlight Pinellas, and says one of her chief goals is building up the county’s affordable housing stock.
Ed Hooper (R) This Clearwater-based former firefighter served in the Florida House for eight years, and is now hoping to bring his talents to local government. He opposes Greenlight Pinellas, but does agree that the county needs transit improvements. He’s considered a moderate, but a number of his votes in lockstep with GOP House leadership make him vulnerable.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT 4
(North Pinellas County: Oldsmar, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, parts of Safety Harbor and a small part of Clearwater)
Dave Eggers (R) Just to clarify, this isn’t the uber-hip San Francisco-based novelist and screenwriter, but the mayor of Dunedin for the past 5.5 years. Clearly the front-runner, he has by most accounts done a decent job as mayor. He supports Greenlight Pinellas.
Mark Weinkrantz (D) This airline pilot certainly possesses one of the cooler websites we’ve seen of any candidate this season (check it out at mark4pinellas.com). He’s an Air Force veteran, supports red-light cameras and Greenlight Pinellas.
Carl Forkman (No Party affiliation) Opposes Greenlight Pinellas, says his biggest priority is reviving the county’s veterans services.
Marcus Harrison (NPA) You always have to be wary about a candidate who says that he is not a politician, “nor do I have any political aspiration.” Uh, then what are you doing running for office, Mr. Harrison?
STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 20
(Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor)
Jack Latvala (R) The cantankerous veteran state legislator is the Big Daddy of the local state delegation in Pinellas. He had a big year in 2014, including finding a way to pass legislation allowing undocumented students to attend Florida universities at in-state tuition rates. Also recently came out for Greenlight Pinellas.
Tony Caso (LPF) If you like the Tea Party, vote for Caso. If not…
STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 22
(South Tampa, North St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, South Pasadena)
Jeff Brandes (R) Although this wealthy military veteran can be oh so wrong on some issues (he was the only Republican in the state Senate in 2013 who voted against a hybrid plan to bring Medicaid expansion to Florida), he’s also not your garden-variety Republican, as he’s been a cheerleader for Uber and craft breweries.
Judithanne McLauchlan (D) This USF St. Petersburg political science professor has been steeped in politics and public policy her entire life, but had never run for office until this year. She has mounted a very aggressive campaign against her well-funded opponent, running on a classic progressive platform that promotes public education, Medicaid expansion and an end to what she calls “pay-to-play politics” in Tallahassee.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 13
(Most of Pinellas County, except for Downtown and South St. Pete)
David Jolly (R) Although he ran as a “severe conservative,” David Jolly knows that being too ideological isn’t going to play in moderate Pinellas. That’s why, unlike his GOP House colleagues, he opposed the Paul Ryan budget and supports same-sex marriage. There's speculation that he’ll face a Republican challenger in 2016 because of that stance.
Lucas Overby (Libertarian) A self-described “Leftatarian,” Overby becomes the de facto opposition in this race thanks to the Democratic Party’s inability to select a nominee in this swing district, one of only a few left in the country. Expect him to get more than the 5 percent he won in the special election against Jolly and Alex Sink.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 65
(Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Palm Harbor)
Carl Zimmermann (D) Narrowly elected in 2012 after several tries, Zimmermann has taught broadcast journalism for 29 years at Countryside High School in Clearwater. He opposes efforts to expand the state’s school voucher system, and has gained attention lately by condemning a 2007 law that is forcing condominium owners to sell their units at below the price they paid for them.
Chris Sprowls (R) Sprowls is being groomed for House leadership, as in Speaker of the House, before he’s even been elected. An assistant state attorney in the Pinellas/Pasco 6th Judicial Circuit straight out of law school, he now serves as a special prosecutor in the gang unit of the State Attorney’s Office. But he’s only 30, and has made a few rookie mistakes on the campaign trail.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 66
(Pinellas beaches, from Clearwater to Indian Shores)
Larry Ahern (R) The Tampa Tribune calls Ahern a “dependable conservative.” A bill he sponsored toughening penalties for violence against unborn children was signed into law.
Lorena Grizzle (D) A Pinellas County schoolteacher, she’s for smart growth, against school vouchers, and supports funding for technical and apprentice training for those who may not be attending college.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 67
(Clearwater)
Chris Latvala (R) The scion of the inimitable Jack, Chris is extremely low-key. Though he boasts of being the “proud son” of a public school teacher, he’s also an enthusiastic supporter of school vouchers, which he says allow parents more “flexibility.” He says he’s against Medicaid expansion but would be willing to listen to the will of the people of his district.
Steve Sarnoff (D) President of the local branch of the Communications Workers of America, Sarnoff says improved education and transportation systems are required to bring more high-quality jobs to the state: “We cannot run the third largest state in the country like it’s Mississippi.”
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 68
(North of downtown St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park)
Dwight Dudley (D) Successful in his first run for office in 2012, Dudley has had Duke Energy and the Florida Public Service Commission in his crosshairs since day 1 of going to Tallahassee. Aggressive, tenacious — oh sorry, that’s Culpepper/Kurland. Well, Dudley is a criminal attorney as well.
Bill Young (R) Yes, he’s the son of the late Bill Young (he dropped the “II” from “Bill Young II” when declaring his candidacy). He supports school choice and the Second Amendment and says he is committed to policies “that protect our natural beauty while allowing our economy to grow and prosper.”
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 69
(Pinellas beaches, from Redington Shores to St. Pete Beach, Pasadena, Gulfport)
Kathleen Peters (R) Running for re-election after her unsuccessful bid for Congress last winter, Peters cares about mental health and homeless issues. But her opponent questions why that doesn’t trickle down to support for Medicaid expansion (she says it’s a failed program).
Scott Orsini (D) A St. Petersburg attorney, he says he’ll fight for middle-class families by expanding healthcare, repealing the Duke utility tax and investing in education.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 70
(South Pinellas, Southeast Hillsborough, parts of Manatee & Sarasota)
Darryl Rouson (D) Although he might be known best to some readers as the guy who tried to take away their bongs, the rest of Rouson’s agenda wouldn’t make most liberals unhappy, concentrating on poverty issues, restoring felon voting rights and substance abuse recovery programs.
Philip Garrett (NPA) An energetic candidate who supports a mostly progressive agenda.
PINELLAS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
District 4
Beverly Billiris A former mayor of Tarpon Springs, she’s been teaching at Tarpon Springs Elementary School and says she’s seen firsthand the frustrations that today’s teachers have with testing. “It’s not the teachers, it’s the mandates,” she said regarding the chief problem with education today.
Ken Peluso The former chiropractor made news at a Tiger Bay Forum in August when he was the only candidate who said creationism should be taught in the schools along with evolution. He made an about-face the next day. other pinellas races
Cantankerous veteran state Senator jack latvala (R) is up for re-election in North Pinellas' District 20, facing token opposition from Tea Party favorite Tony Caso. State Rep. Darryl Rouson (D), whose District 70 spreads into four counties (South Pinellas, Southeast Hillsborough, parts of Manatee and Sarasota), is favored against progressive candidate Philip Garrett. Incumbent District 7 School Board Member Rene Flowers wants to reduce dropout rates and institute apprentice and journeyman certifications for students in the technical trades. She's the likely winner against write-in candidate Irene Olive Cates.