NEW PORT RICHEY - There were the usual questions about the budget battles in Tallahassee, possible changes to workers' compensation, even inquiries about rising insurance costs.
Then a woman at the Republican Party dinner at Spartan Manor pulled aside Charles Bronson, the state's agriculture commissioner. Her health club had shut down before her yearly membership was up, and she heard his office could help consumers get refunds.
"She said, "You don't actually handle that, do you?' " said Bronson, a lanky man with an earnest smile. "I said, "Yes, I actually do.' "
Whether they came to talk politics or pocketbook issues, local Republicans got to mingle Friday night with some of the top elected officials from their party.
The speakers' list included the two Charlies - Bronson and Crist, the attorney general - that make up two-thirds of the governor's cabinet. Crist worked the room with the help of a black cane, his right foot still in a soft blue cast from a May 9 bone spur operation.
"Bill Bunting is a friend," said Crist, referring to the head of the Pasco County Republican Executive Committee. "When somebody like Chairman Bunting calls, you answer the call."
The $50-a-plate Lincoln Day Dinner was the Republican Party's annual fundraiser: part political pep rally, part social event, and it seemed to have something for everyone.
A silent auction included a gift basket, Republican Party shirts and Charlton Heston's latest book. For $10, you could buy a raffle ticket to win a Taurus 9mm PT-111 handgun (and yes, Bunting said, the winner would face a background check first).
In between the handshakes and speeches, the party faithful feasted on chicken cordon bleu, prime rib and carrot cake - a dessert Bunting sheepishly admits he insisted upon because it's his favorite.
Veteran U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, and freshman Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, thanked the 270-member crowd for their support in past races, but reminded them that the 2004 elections are around the corner.
"Every level of race is important," Bilirakis said. "Congress is not higher than city commission. . . . Let's remember what we're all about."
And where else could you find out what Brown-Waite whispered to George W. Bush at the State of the Union address?
"I said to him, "Mr. President, Florida loves you,' " Brown-Waite told the audience Friday night. "He said, "We'll see in '04.' "
Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning and County Commissioner Steve Simon received a round of applause for jumping to the GOP earlier this year. And former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum started stumping for 2004, when he'll make a run for Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Graham's seat.
The headliner of the event, agriculture commissioner Bronson, was one of the first to slip out of the brightly lit ballroom Friday night. He would have stayed longer, he said, but with the Legislature back in session, he needed to get back to Tallahassee.
He jokingly added: "While they're working on the budget and I'm here, I don't feel safe."
- Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is hall@sptimes.com
