To voters, the best politics involve local issues, concerns
Many questioned in their precincts say they chiefly focus on candidates and issues close to home.
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published September 1, 2004
Despite the prominence of the U.S. Senate race on Tuesday's ballot, Hernando County voters interviewed at their precincts had local issues on their minds.
Of note, several mentioned their desire to have a fair-minded county judge, and the majority said they supported 15-year incumbent Peyton Hyslop. Many residents spoke of the need to manage the county's booming growth, while a smaller number talked about wanting to see a School Board that can cope with increasingly crowded schools.
Kellie Griffin of Brooksville said her entire family was energized by the election season and the candidates to choose from. Griffin, 43, said her daughter works for the Young Republicans and brought her excitement into the house.
She said she came out particularly to support family friends, including County Commission District 5 Republican hopeful Lara Bradburn and county judge candidate Don Scaglione, Hyslop's opponent.
"We feel like he's fair and he'll do a good job," she said outside the county fairgrounds, where she voted.
Rockey Chaney, 22, of Masaryktown, was among many who said he came out specifically to see Hyslop reelected.
"The only one I voted for was Hyslop," Chaney said outside the Masaryktown Community Center. "He seems to be the only judge that is fair and honest."
Even some county newcomers knew Hyslop and made a point of getting to the polls to back him.
"I think he's very fair and he's very passionate toward people who may have had problems," said Constance Williams, 53, who moved to Spring Hill in April.
She also threw her support to incumbent County Commissioner Diane Rowden, who faced a challenge from political newcomer Phillip Johnson in the District 3 Democratic primary.
"I feel she's very good for the Spring Hill and Hernando County area," Williams said as she left her polling place at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. "We need more people like her."
Not everyone had such good feelings about the commission.
"I'm not happy with the current commissioners," said Philip Ferrara, 64, of the Palms subdivision of Seven Hills.
He declined to say which candidates he did support.
Del Eichers, 73, of Seven Hills was among those who found the large number of Republican candidates for commission somewhat confusing.
"There's a couple of them that I know personally, and they're running in the same stupid district. That makes it difficult," he said outside the Grace Lutheran Church on Mariner Boulevard. "You've almost got to flip a coin."
Iliana Molina, 35, of Spring Hill agreed. She, like others, said she had to rely upon watching televised campaign forums and reading local newspapers to figure out which candidates to vote for.
Unlike many others interviewed, Molina said she came to the polls specifically to vote in the U.S. Senate race.
"Mel Martinez," Molina said, naming President Bush's former Cabinet member as her candidate of choice. "I think that we need to finish what we started (the war on terror and Iraq). Otherwise, what was the point of doing what we did?"
Ken Aldridge, 64, was also one of those who mentioned Martinez. He said he's a die-hard Republican, and he wanted to make sure his preferred candidates get nominated.
Moreover, he said, "I live in Deerfield, where some people are against the School Board." He referred to a spat over the placement of a new football field at Nature Coast Technical High School.
"I'm against the people that are speaking out," Aldridge said outside the National Guard Armory, indicating his support of incumbent District 4 board member Jim Malcolm, who faced a challenge from political newcomer Danny Dunn.
Reg Miller, 66, of Brooksville said he came to the fairgrounds to vote on the School Board races.
"Malcolm and (District 2 candidate) Pat Fagan I like real well," he said. "I think Jim will continue to do a great job, and Pat will do a great job."
A few people turned out with more generic ideas in mind.
Mae McElwain of Brooksville, for instance, said she wanted to oppose candidates who run negative campaigns. She mentioned Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Peter Deutsch specifically.
"He has a bad tongue," McElwain, 77, said, noting Deutsch's attacks against front-runner Betty Castor. "I don't like anybody with a bad tongue."
And Sarah Shiver, 74, of Masaryktown said she came not for any one candidate, but to support the process.
"We need to vote," Shiver said. "If you don't vote, you lose your right to vote."
Supervisor of Elections Annie Williams said the election went off with little problem. One precinct lost electricity early, but the voting machines worked on batteries.
There was some question at another precinct over whether a campaign supporter could remain in the voting place parking lot all day. (He could.) The issue was settled quickly, Williams said, with little trouble.
Precinct deputies across the county reported slow but steady turnout through the day.
