The addition of a general election write-in candidate causes some dismay by closing the GOP primary, which features the two major candidates, to non-Republicans voters.
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published June 5, 2004
Odds are either Chuck Rushe or Heather Fiorentino will be Pasco's next school superintendent.
The two are embroiled in arguably the most important local race in the county this year.
But 60 percent of the electorate won't be able to choose between the two candidates.
Many people blame that on James Sean Griffin.
The 33-year old Land O'Lakes Republican joined the race as write-in candidate Thursday, effectively freezing out Democratic, Independent and other non-Republican voters from casting ballots in the Aug. 31 primary.
But retiring superintendent John Long isn't ready to lay all the credit - or all the blame - for the closed primary on Griffin.
Long said Friday that Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, told him months ago during a meeting in Fasano's Tallahassee office to expect a write-in candidate to join the race.
"His exact words were, "Heather's people"' are going to get a write-in candidate, Long said.
Fasano told the Times that he didn't remember any such conversation, though he remembered the meeting. And Fiorentino said she's too busy to think up such a plan.
"Has there been rumor of everyone joining the race? Absolutely," said state Rep. Fiorentino. "But I'm not involved in this. Not at all."
According to state law, write-in candidates, regardless of party affiliation, are eligible to participate during general elections. Before Griffin filed, the primary election between Rushe and Fiorentino - both Republicans - was open to all voters because there was no outside competition.
Now, Griffin's planned participation in the Nov. 2 general election means the winner of the Aug. 31 primary will have another candidate to run up against.
Griffin said he got the idea to join the race after having dinner conversations with his father, James Floyd Griffin III, a member of the Pasco County Republican Executive Committee.
As news of Griffin's candidacy hit the newspapers Friday, political watchers and supporters almost immediately began contemplating what the development would mean for the future of the schools.
While Fiorentino has had a long relationship with local Republican leaders as she has sought state and local offices, Rushe's strength as a candidate has been less party-specific.
Rushe, the school district's chief financial officer, has received campaign contributions from numerous Republicans - including former superintendent Tom Weightman. But if there is one identifying mark the bulk of his supporters share, it's that they are people associated with the school district.
"There's no question that a seated legislator (Fiorentino) has the advantage, but I think there's going to be a lot of outrage," Long said. "Nobody ought to be able to manipulate the political system for their own good."
School Board member Marge Whaley said she was "furious" on Friday and promptly changed her party affiliation to Republican. Voters have until Aug. 2 to switch their party registration before the vote.
"I have every right to vote for the superintendent of schools," Whaley said. "This man will not take that right from me."
But Bill Bunting, chairman of the Republican Executive Committee, said Democrats still have an opportunity to find a candidate. It's their fault they didn't put anyone's name in the hat, he said.
"Are you going to tell me that with all these educated people and that with 95,000 Democratic voters that they don't have a candidate?" Bunting said.
Bunting said he agrees with Griffin that the Republican candidate should be chosen by Republican voters. However, Bunting denied being involved in seeking a write-in candidate.
Pasco Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning said late Friday, however, that Bunting had contacted him within the past month, inquiring about write-in candidates and the superintendent's race. Bunting could not be reached to respond.
LaVaunne Miller, head of the Pasco Democratic Party, said the situation is unfair no matter what kind of spin the Republicans put on it.
"The School Board is the largest employer in Pasco County, and I believe all voters in Pasco County should have the chance to vote for superintendent," she said.
When Rushe entered the race last year as the first candidate, he entered with the full support of Long, a Democrat. Now, even Long can't vote for Rushe without changing his party affiliation - an action he said he's not about to take.
Miller said the local Democratic party always is exploring its options. She didn't rule out the possibility of asking a Democrat to join the race. But finding the right mix of knowledge, experience and willingness to take on such a large job has been tough.
Bunting suggested Ray Gadd, the school psychologist who became the district's point-person during the March 9 Penny for Pasco sales tax campaign, would be an ideal Democratic candidate.
Gadd said that won't happen.
"I have no desire to do that," Gadd said. "I want nothing to do with Bill Bunting, his politics or election politics."
Susan MacManus, political science professor at the University of South Florida, said it's not unusual for party purists to want closed primaries.
"Most Democrats and Republicans have seen fit to use it when it's expedient," she said. "It happens all the time, and all the time the public gets annoyed by it."
A Pasco County resident, MacManus said the move does not put Rushe at a disadvantage. It simply makes the race more competitive.
