Aiken, citing age, says she won't run for a new term
Commissioner Mary Aiken, who turns 77 today, says she doesn't want the work associated with a campaign. Even without her, the District 1 race remains crowded.
By WILL VAN SANT
Published May 19, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - Democratic County Commissioner Mary Aiken withdrew from the District 1 race Tuesday, citing her age and the heavy workload that comes with campaigning.
The always frank and often funny Aiken, who turns 77 today, made her announcement at the end of Tuesday's County Commission meeting, surprising many. Her remarks were brief.
Aiken told her fellow board members that she is unable to handle both a campaign and being a sitting commissioner.
"I don't want to do the politics. I don't want to do the campaign," Aiken said in remarks to reporters afterward. "I don't want to worry about picking up signs from the road."
Aiken, who came to office as a political novice in 2000, when she took 53 percent of the vote from opponent Alonzo Merritt and seized the District 5 seat, now represents District 1 because of a reshuffling. The smallest of the five districts, District 1 occupies central Spring Hill, between State Road 50 and Spring Hill Drive.
Though her health is sound, Aiken bluntly said her age is starting to become an obstacle to her political career and played a critical role in her decision.
"I'm getting a little long in the tooth," she told reporters. "I can't handle it."
With Aiken gone, the Democratic field is down to two candidates, Joe Lemieux and D.W. "Bill" Fagan. The Republican field includes Anthony Palmieri, Jeff Stabins, Luke Frazier, Rose Rocco and Richard McDermott.
Primaries will be held Aug. 31; the general election is Nov. 2.
As friends and colleagues came forward after her remarks and gave her their best wishes, Aiken repeatedly acknowledged that being a commissioner, a post she will hold until November, is something she will deeply miss.
She also stressed that the decision to withdraw was best and that it brought relief.
"It's like a big weight off my shoulders," Aiken said.
