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Castor gets plum endorsement

By Times Staff
Published April 8, 2006

The Kathy Castor for Congress campaign has picked up an early endorsement that it is particularly proud of. The League of Conservation Voters, which bills itself as the political voice of the national environmental movement, has thrown its name behind Castor.

Castor joins eight others the league has endorsed either for the House of Senate so far this election season, with all but two being incumbents. While citing her record standing up against polluters, the endorsement also credited Castor with sticking up for the health of the poor and disadvantaged and generally being a voice for the little guy.

"No one fights harder than Kathy Castor to preserve the health and quality of life of the families in the Tampa Bay area," said league senior vice president for political affairs Tony Massaro .

"For a county commissioner to get their attention at this point is pretty special," crowed Castor campaign manager Clay Phillips .

Castor faces four other Democrats and three Republicans in the race to succeed Jim Davis for the District 11 seat so far, and has been the commanding money leader in fundraising.

FAITH IN POLITICS: One of those Democrats, state Sen. Les Miller , D-Tampa, joins many other candidates for office highlighting their religious faith this year in announcing four new endorsements of his campaign for the District 11 U.S. House Seat.

In a news release that starts with "God. Morals. Leadership. Service," the Miller camp describes those four things as often divisive matters that instead are a rallying cry behind endorsements of his candidacy. It quotes one of the endorsers, state Sen. Anthony "Tony" Hill, D-Jacksonville.

"One of the reasons I am supporting Les in his campaign to serve the citizens of Florida in the U.S. Congress is because I know that his religion is the reason he is a politician, not his politics," Hill said.

The others putting their names with Miller's campaign are state senators Al Lawson , D-Tallahassee; Dave Aronberg , D-Greenacres; and Gary Siplin , D-Orlando.

PARTY POLITICS: One of the Republicans, Temple Terrace businessman Eddie Adams Jr. , held a block party in his hometown to raise money for his cause today

A SLICK SELL: On the publicity front, Taking Back Hillsborough County Political Committee Inc. has a fancy new brochure it is distributing to tout its effort to let county voters decide if they'd like to elect a mayor. It's a trifold on slick card stock, with color and looks really expensive.

Not so, said group leader Mary Ann Stiles . She says she got a good deal.

Stiles said she got the artwork done and 10,000 copies made for $2,594.75, or about 26 cents apiece.

AVOIDING CONFLICT: Wary that county attorney Renee Lee reports to commissioners, a majority of whom have voiced opposition to the mayor proposal, Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson has hired outside counsel to advise him on legal issues related to the initiative.

Johnson has retained Veronica Donnelly , with the Broad and Cassell firm, at a rate of $200 per hour.

"While we have been assured by the county attorney's office that there is no legal basis for concerns over conflicts, it is important to me that we avoid even the appearance of a potential conflict," Johnson said in a news release.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR RUSKIN: State Senate President Tom Lee had some kind words for the people from Ruskin seeking legislative approval to put a question about incorporation on the November ballot. He said he's been impressed at how well they've figured out how to navigate the legislative system.

"This small group of people were grossly underestimated," he said.

Lee lamented that the forces against Ruskin are "more sophisticated" and said that he "empathized" with the Ruskin community.

He also said that: "Pending some change, I'd have a difficult time turning my back on these citizens without having another hearing in the community."

SINK'S NAME RISES: The group Democracy for America is holding a meet and greet with Democrats seeking various offices, the biggest name being Alex Sink , a candidate for state chief financial officer. The forum takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the IBEW Local 108 Union Hall, 10108 E U.S. 92, Tampa. (near the Florida State Fair Grounds). The public is invited, and there is no charge.

--Times staff writers Bill Varian and Jennifer Liberto contributed to this report.

[Last modified April 8, 2006, 00:32:10]