Republican incumbent Leslie Waters is being challenged by Democrat Mike Smith and independent candidate Matt Sullivan.
By ANNE LINDBERG
Published October 31, 2004
SEMINOLE - With most voters' attention turned to the national scene, it would be easy to overlook the quiet race for state House Seat 51.
But when folks in parts of Seminole, Pinellas Park, Largo, South Pasadena and the western edge of the unincorporated Lealman area go to the polls Tuesday, they'll be asked to choose among three candidates.
The most well-known is Republican Leslie Waters, who has held the seat since 1998. Term limits would make the upcoming session her last in the state House. She is retired from management with Allstate Insurance, where she worked in human resources and community relations.
Her two challengers are less well known, although both ran unsuccessfully for School Board two years ago. One is Democrat Mike Smith, a business consultant who specializes in customer relations. The other is independent candidate Matt Sullivan, owner of Help Line Medical Alert, a monitoring service for seniors.
Waters could not be reached for comment Friday, but in past weeks she has campaigned heavily on her ability to bring home the bacon. Among her successes, Waters has said, are $3.8-million earmarked for flood repairs at Park Boulevard and 49th Street N and increased funding for the National Guard and Highway Patrol.
She has also been at the forefront of an initiative to educate parents to never shake babies. Waters said her efforts resulted in money for the campaign and billboards, among other materials.
Her goals if re-elected are to continue seeking increased funding to the Guard, Highway Patrol and road improvements.
Smith, who is also attending St. Petersburg College, said he will bring a fresh outlook to the Legislature. He criticizes Waters for her closeness to Johnnie Byrd and the Republican Party power structure in the Legislature.
"I think that we need to have a change," Smith said. "Someone who was not with Johnny Byrd all the way."
Smith calls himself an issues-based Democrat and says that will help him work with members of both parties if elected.
And, he said, he would stress education and health care for all who need it.
Sullivan also criticized Waters as being an insider who is out of touch with her district.
"I'm an independent who wants to build a bridge over troubled waters," Sullivan said. "I'm for all Democrats and all Republicans. Vote for me and everybody wins."
Sullivan said he has appeared at four community forums during the campaign. The most telling thing about those, he said, is that neither Waters nor Smith showed up. If they cannot be bothered to come to forums during election season, he said, it is unlikely they would pay attention to folks at other times.
"Mike is too little and she is too late," Sullivan said.
Sullivan noted that he had raised $3,200 for the Seminole Band's trip to the Rose Bowl. That, he said, is an indication that he is already working for the community.
