Kyc: District 60 State House

Two years ago, Romeo, a Democrat, beat Homan, a Republican, by a scant 336 votes after she cleaned up in the area of District 60 near the University of South Florida.

This time, the two are battling it out in a district redrawn slightly to the north -- by a Republican-dominated Legislature -- and now includes more Republican voters.

A third candidate, Libertarian Ryan Conley, also is on the ballot.

Romeo -- who, in her first two years in Tallahassee, overcame breast cancer and a brain tumor -- is counting on winning votes in the Lake Forest area of District 60.

Homan, an orthopedic surgeon and former chief of staff at University Community Hospital, hopes to persuade solidly Republican New Tampa to show up Tuesday.

Neither had a primary opponent in September.

The top two issues of the 2000 race are once again dominating the 2002 campaign: education and health care.

Homan, who has raised more money than Romeo, is touting higher teacher salaries and smaller class sizes. So is Romeo.

Both candidates favor a patient's bill of rights, but Homan wants to cap personal injury settlements.

The candidates differ in their choices on a third issue. Romeo is touting environmental protections while Homan is pushing transportation. He hopes to secure a seat on the House Transportation Committee if elected.

Romeo and Homan are both trying to make an issue out of Romeo's record.

Romeo notes a water conservation bill she sponsored, which she said will save the county 10-million gallons of water a day.

Romeo was the primary sponsor of eight bills that passed the Legislature, including a consumer protection measure, a measure to require electric companies to provide power for medical service and a water conservation bill.

"It's a Republican Legislature, so she's ineffective," Homan said.

Although there are more Republicans in the new district, Romeo said she was not concerned.

"I love campaigning," she said. "You get right out there in the middle of people to see how they feel."

Conley, a University of South Florida student, is running what he calls a "trademark campaign," which means he won't be doing any actual campaigning.

Instead, Conley said he is on the ballot "to raise awareness for the Libertarian Party."

The party's goals include privatizing Social Security, ending the war on drugs and creating tax-free savings accounts for medical expenses.

THE JOB

State House District 60 represents northeast Tampa and Hillsborough County. House members serve two-year terms and earn $29,328 a year.

REPUBLICAN

Homan

ED HOMAN, 62, is an orthopedic surgeon. Formerly the chief of orthopedics at University Community Hospital, he runs a private practice in New Tampa. Born in Oklahoma City, Homan earned a bachelor's and a medical degree from Louisiana State University, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He has been a member of several civic groups, including the Florida Medical Association, the Hillsborough County Medical Association and the Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce. He is married and has three sons from a previous marriage. ASSETS: residence, office condo and retirement account LIABILITIES: mortgages, car loan SOURCE OF INCOME: private practice E-MAIL: mail@edhoman.com

DEMOCRAT

Romeo

SARA ROMEO, 53, represents District 60. Before she was elected in 2000, Romeo worked as a consultant to nonprofit organizations and ran her own furniture store in Ybor City. She holds an associate of arts degree from Hillsborough Community College and has attended classes at the University of South Florida. She has served on a number of local groups, including the Lutz Civic Association, the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce and the Seffner Chamber of Commerce. She is married and has three children. ASSETS: coin collection, homes, store and savings account LIABILITIES: mortgages and credit card SOURCE OF INCOME: state salary E-MAIL: SaraWins2002@aol.com

LIBERTARIAN

Conley

RYAN CONLEY, 22, is a fifth-year student at the University of South Florida. He has never run for public office but has been active in the Libertarian Party since before he could vote. Conley is majoring in English with a concentration in technical and professional writing. He is not sure what he wants to do after graduation but will likely spend time traveling. Born in Naples, Conley moved to Tampa to attend USF. He is single and lives in an apartment. ASSETS: stock and money market funds LIABILITIES: none SOURCE OF INCOME: none E-MAIL: Ryan@naples.net