One commission challenger meets petition deadline

Of the four incumbents facing re-election in the fall, three of them as yet face no opposition.

By LISA GREENE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 3, 2002

Become a Pinellas County commissioner and you get an elected position paying $76,452 a year and an office with a water view.

But so far, that's not enough inducement for most people to step into the ring against any of the four commissioners up for re-election in November.

The deadline for county petition candidates expired Monday, and only one commissioner, Republican John Morroni, has an opponent. Democrat Dave Buby, a retired physician, is running against him.

Buby needs 1,495 petition cards. He turned in more than 1,700 Monday, although the supervisor of elections still needs to certify that his signatures come from registered voters.

The three other commissioners -- Calvin Harris, Barbara Sheen Todd and Susan Latvala -- remain unopposed.

Political observers say the trio's name recognition, incumbency and hefty campaign accounts are enough to scare off other candidates. Harris, for example, says he has raised more than $50,000.

Candidates who don't get on the ballot by petition have until July 26 to file, but now must pay a $4,500 fee to do so.

Two of the incumbents, Harris and Todd, hold countywide seats. Challengers are more likely to try a bid for the district seats, because it's easier and cheaper to campaign for those.

"Running countywide is too imposing a challenge for aspiring commissioners," said Ed Armstrong, a Clearwater lawyer and campaign adviser.

"To run a countywide race like that, you're looking at spending at least $100,000 or more," said Paul Bedinghaus, county Republican Party chairman.

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