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Political junkie

Candidates get boosts from dentists, ballads, firefighters

By Times staff writers
Published November 9, 2005

In state House District 48, Alan Hayes isn't a household name.

Yet the first-term state representative from Umatilla seemed to be lending his name to fellow Republican and District 48 candidate Peter Nehr for fundraising purposes.

Only he wasn't.

Nehr included Hayes on an invitation for a fundraiser hosted today by the Florida Dental Association in Tallahassee. But Hayes is an appointed liaison for Republicans in the race and is unable to lend his name or support to any candidate.

"I screwed up. I completely admit it," said Nehr, who retracted Hayes' name from the e-mail invite and explained the situation within hours.

Nehr, who is backed by the Florida Dental Association, had met Hayes, a dentist, and discussed a possible union. But between their meeting and the fundraiser, Hayes became an intermediary for Republicans in the race and could no longer even consider backing Nehr.

Nehr said he had several drafts of the fundraiser invite, and somehow Hayes' name got through.

"It was an innocent error," said Nehr, who raised $83,000 through September, well more than the three other Republicans running. "I mean, I wasn't using the Speaker of the House's name. Now that would be a big deal."

Nehr, a Tarpon Springs city commissioner, is running for the seat vacated by state Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who is running for Congress, and faces Republicans Robin Borland, Brian Flaherty and Ken Peluso in the primary. Carl Zimmermann is running as a Democrat. District 48 covers northeast Pinellas and part of Holiday.

STAKING CLAIMS: Officially, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is neutral in the suddenly crowded Democratic primary for the strongly Republican 9th Congressional District race to succeed Rep. Mike Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs.

But former Hillsborough County Commissioner Phyllis Busansky, is letting people know she's the favorite. Other Democrats in the race include Greg Rublee of Oldsmar; Bill Mitchell of Tampa; and Fred Taylor of New Port Richey. Republicans include state Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, and David Langheier o f East Lake.

U.S. Rep. Rahm Emmanuel, the former Clinton administration aide who is the DCCC chairman, sent Busansky a Chicago cheesecake when she entered the race, Busansky said, and he plans to join her at a fundraiser in Washington next month.

Meanwhile, Busansky said, former state House Speaker Terrell Sessums and Democratic activist Don Pelligrino will lead her finance team.

SUPPORT IN SONG: With Democrats now crowding the 9th District field, candidates are looking to distinguish themselves from the pack. Phyllis Busansky plays up her beefy resume. Greg Rublee talks about values.

Fred Taylor has a song.

On his Web site, www.taylor06.com Taylor has a four-minute song, titled the Fred Taylor Ballad, that tells the New Port Richey candidate's story as a decorated Vietnam veteran.

Over the music from America The Beautiful, the narrator discusses Taylor's time in Vietnam, and the story behind his three Purple Hearts.

What's in a name?

What he did in Vietnam he did for his country and not for fame.

Fred is part of our country,

He's part of me and he's part of you,

Son, he's a part of the red, white and blue.

Taylor, a former national commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, was medically retired from the Army due to extensive wounds. He is currently a real estate broker.

FIRE UNIONS ENDORSE GUS: Firefighter unions from New Port Richey to Safety Harbor have endorsed state Rep. Gus Bilirakis in his bid for the 9th Congressional District seat.

The nod from six firefighter groups - Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Palm Harbor/Oldsmar, Tarpon Springs, East Lake and New Port Richey - was followed by a $1,000 donation last week.

The unions have traditionally supported Bilirakis' father, U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis. That devotion continues.

"Gus pledges to be accessible and convenient as his dad was," said John Little, president of the Safety Harbor Firefighters. "I can't think of a better person to represent us in Washington."

[Last modified November 9, 2005, 00:39:17]