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Political junkie

State House primaries perk up

By Times staff writers
Published January 18, 2006

What a difference two years and term limits can make. Heading into 2004, there were no contested primaries in Pinellas state House races, and Rep. Frank Farkas, a Republican from St. Petersburg, led all candidates in fundraising with $38,100.

Currently, there are seven contested primaries and eight candidates who have raised more than $38,100. Here's how each Pinellas district race is shaping up:

DISTRICT 48: Tarpon Springs City Commissioner and Republican Peter Nehr leads all Pinellas state House candidates, raising $100,029 in 2005.

Nehr faces three fellow Republicans in the primary: chiropractor and Palm Harbor Fire Commissione r Ken Peluso, who has raised $65,394, businessman and Republican activist Brian Flaherty ($41,996) and former Safety Harbor City Commissioner Robin Borland ($16,596).

One Democrat is also in the race, Carl Zimmermann of Palm Harbor. He has raised $6,035.

The District 48 seat is being vacated by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, a Republican from Palm Harbor. Bilirakis is running for Congress in the 9th Congressional District.

DISTRICT 45: So far, Rep. Tom Anderson, R-Dunedin, has no announced opponent and is seeking a third term. In 2005, Anderson, the former mayor of Dunedin, brought in $25,425.

DISTRICT 50: The seat being vacated by Rep. Kim Berfield , R-Clearwater, has two Republican hopefuls, former Clearwater City Commissioner Ed Hooper and Republican state committeewoman Nancy Riley.

Riley has raised $60,240, including $10,711 since October. Hooper has raised $55,174, $8,514 in the past three months.

Both are relying on their professional relationships for fundraising. Hooper, a former firefighter, has received money from firefighter groups, while Riley, president-elect of the Florida Association of Realtors, has received dozens of contributions from the real estate industry.

Berfield is leaving her House seat to run for state Senate.

DISTRICT 54: Three Republicans and one Democrat are hoping to replace Rep. Everett Rice, a Republican from Treasure Island who is running for state attorney general.

Among Republicans, Rod Jones, son of Pinellas state Sen. Dennis Jones, leads in fundraising, collecting $45,640 in 2005. Jim Frishe, a former state representative, has raised $23,345. The third Republican, Michael A. Petruccelli, has yet to begin fundraising.

The Democrat in the field, Betsy Valentine, filed papers to run earlier this month and has yet to report any fundraising totals.

DISTRICT 52: Banker and Republican Angelo Cappelli holds a sizable fundraising advantage heading into 2006 over three other GOP candidates. Cappelli pulled in $66,136 in 2005.

Real estate agent Ross Johnson raised $26,223 in 2005, dental office manager and veteran Republican activist Sandie Curran raised $3,387, and lawyer Sean Scott raised $4,375.

The lone Democrat, Liz McCallum, raised $17,675. A second Democrat, Chris Eaton, dropped out of the race in November, saying his job would keep him away from campaigning.

Candidates are running to replace Rep. Frank Farkas, a Republican from St. Petersburg running for state Senate.

DISTRICT 51: In a district that President Bush narrowly carried in 2004, two Republicans and two Democrats are running to replace conservative Republican Rep. Leslie Waters.

For Republicans, Seminole Mayor Dottie Reeder starts 2006 with a fundraising advantage, collecting $23,560. Waters' former legislative aide Bruce Cotton opened his campaign in October and raised $9,831 in three months.

For Democrats, Seminole City Council member Janet Long has banked $14,474, and past state House candidate Michael Smith raised $4,419.

Waters is barred by term limits from seeking a fifth term.

DISTRICT 53: One of two state House seats in Pinellas held by Democrats is up for grabs. Outgoing Rep. Charlie Justice of St. Petersburg is running for state Senate and is backing St. Petersburg City Council member Rick Kriseman to fill his seat.

Through December, Kriseman raised $41,476 and stands to face Michael Derry, who has raised $1,885, in the party primary.

One Republican, Christopher K. Ah Leong, has raised $950 since filing to run in October.

DISTRICT 55: After toying with the idea of a state Senate run, Rep. Frank Peterman, a Democrat from St. Petersburg, will instead seek a fourth term in the state House.

He is only one of two incumbents seeking re-election and as of now is unopposed.

Nearly emptying his account, Peterman has spent all but $23.37 of the $3,550 he raised last year.

Aaron Sharockman and Adam C. Smith compiled this week's Political Junkie. Contact the staff at politicaljunkie@sptimes.com

[Last modified January 18, 2006, 01:10:21]