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JOSH ZIMMERRepublican's conservatism challenged: Kevin Ambler, seeking a second term, is under fire for his independent streak from longtime campaign volunteer William Bunkley.
Across Florida, only eight Republican representatives face challenges from within their party.
One of them is Kevin Ambler, 43, a lawyer from Lutz whose conservative credentials are under fire.
Although credited by fellow legislators for showing brains and hard work in his first term in office, Ambler exhibited an independent streak that rubbed some conservatives the wrong way. One of them was departing House Speaker Johnnie Byrd.
William Bunkley, 48, thinks there are enough disgruntled Republicans in this northwest Hillsborough district to get Ambler tossed out.
A longtime campaign volunteer for former state Sen. John Grant, Bunkley says he's lined up major Republicans support, including Valrico businessman Sam Rashid and former District 47 representative Rob Wallace.
"I don't think the citizens elected him to butt heads with anybody," said Bunkley, a lobbyist for the Florida Baptist Convention.
Bunkley, a Boy Scouts volunteer for many years, plans to attack Ambler as a lawyer who isn't looking out for citizens' best interests. He cites Ambler's role in whittling down the malpractice reform bill supported by Byrd.
"He's been an exceptional advocate for the Academy of Trial Lawyers," Bunkley said. "He could almost be a lobbyist for them."
Last year, Bunkley paid off a $25,778 federal tax lien from 1993. He said it stemmed from a downturn in his mortgage business in the early 1990s.
Ambler defended his willingness to make up his own mind on bills, including tort reform.
"I've been practicing law for 18 years," he said. "I think I have the breadth of experience to know the proposals (that) will work in practice. And I wasn't elected to rubber stamp a task force report."
Ambler eventually voted for a final version of a bill that capped negligence awards.
Ambler's first term was a learning experience. But he said he was pleased with the bills he helped craft.
He sponsored bills that would have created public record exemptions for banking investigations and medical research. A bill that would have let bail bondsman electronically monitor defendants on bail passed the House but didn't make it through the Senate.
One bill he sponsored would have eliminated expiration dates on gift cards and certificates, as well as nonusage fees that erode the value of the certificates over time.
Ambler thinks he will work better with incoming House Speaker Allan Bense, who has agreed to raise funds for his re-election.
"He's a very good lawyer, he's a very articulate speaker," Bense said. "I think he has done a good job representing his constituents in Tampa."
THE CANDIDATE S
KEVIN AMBLER, 43, is a lawyer specializing in commercial and business litigation, personal injury and medical malpractice law. He is former president of the Northdale Special Dependent Tax District and a former member of the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board. He is also chairman of the county bar's military liaison committee. He has a bachelor's degree in economics from Cornell University and a law degree from Southwestern University School of Law. He is married and has two children. ASSETS: Law practice, homes, stocks, bank accounts. LIABILITIES: Mortgage, car loans. INCOME: Law practice, legislator's salary . E-MAIL: voteambler@yahoo.com
WILLIAM BUNKLEY, 48, is a mortgage broker and Realtor. He also is a lobbyist whose clients include the Florida Baptist Convention and Administrative Services Inc., a Miami firm that helps run Hillsborough County's indigent health care contract. He received an associate's degree/pre-liberal arts from Hillsborough Community College. He is married and has no children. ASSETS: Real estate and mortgage business, home. LIABILITES: Mortgages. INCOME: Business, lobbying contracts. E-MAIL: Bunkley4house@yahoo.com
THE JOB
State House District 47 includes the northwest corner of Hillsborough County, including the communities of Northdale, Lutz, Keystone and Carrollwood. Representatives serve two-year terms and earn $29,916 a year.