Kyc: District 44 State House

The 2002 election for the District 44 seat in the Florida House of Representatives is a replay of the one two years ago, with some important differences.

David Russell of Brooksville is again the Republican incumbent. His position may be stronger than in 2000 because of his added experience and his position as chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

Greg Williams of Ridge Manor once more is the Democratic challenger. Though he still has not served as an elected official, Williams does have a more impressive track record than in 2000: He won a Democratic primary for the second time this year after drawing a surprising 45 percent of the vote against Russell in 2000.

Williams said he is ready to challenge Russell's record more aggressively this year. And Russell said he is ready to defend it.

"It's my intention at this point to run on my record," Russell said. "I absolutely will not indulge in personal attacks. But I will not stand by and allow myself to be beaten about the ears."

One of the bills Russell is proudest of links future development to the availability of water. He also sponsored a controversial law that changed the Turnpike District of the Florida Department of Transportation to an agency called Turnpike Enterprise. The bill gives the organization broad powers to issue bonds to finance future toll road projects, which Russell says will help meet the state's future transportation needs.

Environmental groups criticized the bill because it will promote building more roads into rural areas, which then will be developed.

Williams says Russell's water bill has no provisions to actually stop construction if water is unvailable. On another water issue, Williams blasted Russell for his part in allowing a loophole that permitted two towns in the Panhandle to buy Florida Water Services Inc., even though the towns are not served by the utility.

Russell said the law was passed in 1997, before he was elected to the Legislature. He said he worked for a bill that would have closed the loophole, but it did not pass before the end of 2002 session.

"We basically ran out of time," he said.

In some ways, the issues in this race are typical of those across the state.

Williams, like many Democrats, is critical of Gov. Jeb Bush 's handling of education. He also advocates spending more money to hire more case workers for the state's troubled Department of Children and Families. He would pay for the additions and other initiatives by eliminating some of the tax breaks the Legislature has recently awarded to big businesses.

Russell favors Bush's A+

education plan. He also voted against a tax reform plan that would have ended many sales tax exemptions.

But Russell, whom opponents accused of following Republican leaders too closely in 2000, said he has not always followed the party line.

He said he did not support expanding the school voucher program beyond failing schools. And in 2001 he voted against a plan to allow untreated water into the state's aquifers.

"I think I've worked well on a bipartisan basis," he said.

In this race, the issues are actually tripartisan, according to Edward Pittman, a Libertarian candidate who lives in New Port Richey, which is outside the boundaries of District 44. Pittman said he will move, probably to Spring Hill, if elected.

His and his party's philosophy call for limiting the role of government as much as possible, he said. This philosophy is closer to that of the old-fashioned Whig party, formed in 17th century England to restrict the power of the king.

"They wanted to limit the powers of government, which we still want to do today," said Pittman, the son of Pasco County Clerk of Circuit Court Jed Pittman.

"The main issue of my campaign," he said, "is offering a different choice to the voters."

THE JOB

State House District 44 covers most of Hernando County, north-central Pasco County and the southern portion of Sumter County. State representatives serve two-year terms and earn $29,328 per year.

THE CANDIDATES

EDWARD PITTMAN, 32, of New Port Richey is a self-published author. He is a graduate of Gulf High School in Pasco County. He is single and has no children. ASSETS: none LIABILITIES: none SOURCE OF INCOME: sale of his book

Republican

Russell

DAVID RUSSELL JR., 47, of Brooksville was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1998. He is a native of Birmingham, Ala., and completed high school there. He has owned a pool supply and service company in Spring Hill for 21 years. He has been married since 1980 and is the father of two sons. ASSETS: home, business investments and cars LIABILITIES: home mortgage, car loan and credit card SOURCES OF INCOME: legislative and business salaries E-MAIL: rus0432@msn.com

Democrat

Williams

GREG WILLIAMS, 42, of Ridge Manor is a native of St. Petersburg who moved to Citrus County in 1991. Previously divorced, he is married and the father of four children, the youngest of whom is 15. He has a degree in English education from Bethune-Cookman College and works as a classifications supervisor with the Florida Department of Corrections. He previously worked in the human resources department at Florida Power Corp. He is a member of the Ridge Manor Kiwanis Club and the Ridge Manor Property Owners Association. ASSETS: home, stock and savings LIABILITIES: home mortgage, car loans SOURCE OF INCOME: Department of Corrections salary. WEB SITE: www.gregorywilliams2002.com