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Argenziano announces Senate campaign
By JIM ROSS, Times Staff Writer Nancy Argenziano could have sought a fourth consecutive term in the state House of Representatives this fall. Instead, she's setting her sights on a new goal: the state Senate. Argenziano, R-Crystal River, announced Friday she will seek to become the first senator to represent the new District 3, a huge territory that covers all or part of 13 counties from Citrus on the south end to Baker County on the east side and Leon County on the west. Argenziano has represented District 43, which includes Citrus County, northwest Hernando County and a sliver of Marion County, since first winning election in 1996. If her Senate run is successful, Argenziano would continue representing most of Citrus; 92 percent of the county would fall in District 3, with the rest -- mostly the portion west of U.S. 19 -- sitting in District 11. Hernando is currently in districts 11 and 15, so Argenziano no longer would represent any Hernando residents. Those district lines, along with all the new legislative boundaries that the Republican-controlled Legislature recently drew, must withstand judicial review. That is far from being a done deal. As it stands, the new District 3's geographic makeup would seem to favor Argenziano: About 56 percent of the registered voters would live in Citrus or Marion counties, where Argenziano already has strong name recognition and support. The good news for Argenziano would appear to be bad news for state Sen. Richard Mitchell, D-Jasper. Much of his current territory would sit in the new District 3. But he is from the district's northern portion, and the voting power would be concentrated in the south. It might seem that Mitchell would enjoy a political advantage, since 55 percent of the registered voters are Democrats, according to a state legislative analysis. But his current district has 60 percent Democrats. Voters in the old and new districts supported George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election and Jeb Bush in the 1998 race for governor, the analysis showed. Argenziano said the important thing was that the new district should give Citrus a good chance of securing a home-county senator. As it stands, Mitchell represents west Citrus while Anna Cowin, R-Leesburg, represents the rest. "I think it's Citrus County's turn to possibly have somebody who is here who really knows Citrus County," Argenziano said Friday. Mitchell could not be reached for comment. Argenziano helped make history in 1996. That year, Republicans took control of the state House for the first time since Reconstruction. Argenziano's triumph over Helen Spivey, one of two GOP defeats of Democratic incumbents statewide, helped push the party over the top. So began Argenziano's spirited and sometimes controversial legislative career. She has enjoyed many successes and built a strong record for constituent service, but also has battled House leaders, lost key committee assignments and drawn rebuke for giving manure to a lobbyist with whom she disagreed. During the interview Friday, Argenziano said she liked many of her House colleagues and enjoyed serving with them. But she said some leaders have been "disappointing," and she has complained about what she considers heavy-handed treatment and the House's failure to appreciate and follow tradition and protocol. "Representative government is still alive in the Senate," she said. "Something has happened to the House. I hope it comes back some day." Her thoughts on running against Mitchell? "I don't think he's a bad man," Argenziano said. "We definitely have different philosophies on things." She could have avoided the challenge by sticking with a relatively safe District 43 seat. But term limits would have forced her out in two years. Two men, Republican Michael J. White from Crystal River and Libertarian Party member Neil Polimeni from Homosassa, already have announced plans to seek the District 43 seat. With Argenziano out, the field should begin expanding rapidly. "I anticipate that an experienced, independent, knowledgeable and concerned individual, with whom I will be proud to work and have represent me in District 43, will step forward," she was quoted as saying in a news release her campaign issued Friday.
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