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Hernando County leader seeks state House seat

The commissioner aims to represent District 44, which includes north-central Pasco.

By MARY SPICUZZA
Published October 8, 2005

It's official.

Hernando County Commission Chairman Robert Schenck entered the race on Friday for state representative in District 44, one of the area's most coveted public offices.

For months, rumors had circulated about the political future of Schenck, 30, whose first term on the County Commission ends in 2006. Many had speculated he would run for the District 44 seat currently held by Rep. David Russell Jr., R- Brooksville.

Russell will be vacating the seat because of the eight-year term limit.

In his announcement Friday, Schenck, a Republican from Spring Hill, said he would remain committed to fighting for lower taxes and against unfunded mandates.

"People work hard for their money," he said in a news release. "I will continue to fight so that they will be able to keep more of it."

He also said he would continue to promote economic development and encourage education.

"Education is the foundation for society," he said. "It's certainly my goal to work with the school boards and teachers to benefit the children."

Retired Hernando County Sheriff Thomas Mylander will serve as chairman of Schenck's campaign.

Mylander said he would work to ensure that Schenck wins support in all three counties that make up District 44. The district includes most of Hernando County, north-central Pasco County and the southern part of Sumter County.

"I've had the opportunity to work with Rob over the years, and I sort of understood where he was coming from, his philosophy," Mylander said. "We also certainly agreed that we needed some help with the unfunded mandates coming down from Tallahassee."

As a self-proclaimed "law and order Republican," Schenck has also won the support of Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent.

Nugent described Schenck as a "real bright, articulate young guy."

"I think there's just a void left by Dave Russell," Nugent said. "I think Rob is a perfect candidate to fill that void."

Schenck, a New Jersey native who has lived in Spring Hill for 25 years, said he planned to use his work with special needs children and his experience as a teacher to benefit the schoolchildren of District 44.

But Democratic District 44 candidate Glenn Claytor of Spring Hill said Friday that Schenck lacks experience as a politician.

"He strikes me as a rookie," said Claytor, 69, a real estate developer and lawyer, "that he's not really ready for prime time."

What about the void left by Schenck on the Hernando County Commission?

Along with the rumors about Schenck's future, there has been speculation that Russell would run for the commission.

"I will be making a decision within the next week or so," Russell said Friday when asked if he planned to seek a seat on the commission.

Mary Spicuzza can be reached at mspicuzza@sptimes.com or 352 848-1432.

[Last modified October 8, 2005, 01:26:19]