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Scott will challenge fellow commissioner

Months ago, he had announced plans to run for the City Council. But his heart is with the commission, he said.

By BILL VARIAN
Published May 26, 2006

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Commissioner Tom Scott confirmed Thursday that he will challenge incumbent fellow Commissioner Mark Sharpe for his countywide seat in November, promising to turn up the infighting on an already contentious board.

The decision guarantees that the contest will become the most high profile among local races in a year when five of seven commission seats are up for election.

Ending intense speculation in political circles, Scott said he will make his intentions official Tuesday.

"Yep,'' he said, when asked the direct question Thursday. "There are some things I want to do on the County Commission that I cannot do anywhere else.''

He included creating affordable housing, addressing traffic congestion and safeguarding the county's health plan for the poor as top priorities.

Scott, a Democrat, must leave his current position after 10 years as the District 3 commissioner representing much of central and eastern Tampa because of term limits. But that does not prevent him from pursuing a different seat on the commission.

He previously announced plans to run for the District 2 at-large Tampa City Council seat that council member Shawn Harrison is seeking. But that was months ago and, as the St. Petersburg Times noted last week, he had yet to file the official papers required to become a candidate.

Scott said at the time that he was still weighing his options. Well, the options have been weighed.

"You have to have a heart for what you do,'' Scott said. "If your heart ain't in it, you might as well not be there.

"I have a heart for the County Commission.''

Scott said his decision has nothing to do with any personal feelings about Sharpe, whom he respects. It's strictly a professional decision, he said.

Sharpe, a Republican, who has heard the same speculation as everyone around County Center, initially expressed disbelief about Scott's decision. In recent weeks he said Scott had assured him he planned to seek the City Council seat.

"I know what I'm doing; I'm running for re-election,'' Sharpe said. "And I'm prepared to run against whoever. I think I've done a very good job and I'm prepared to defend it.''

He said he ran for the commission promising to address long-term transportation planning, promote economic development by making Hillsborough more attractive to the biotechnology industry and improve schools. He said he is seeking a new, four-year term to continue those efforts.

"I've been focused like a laser beam on those three issues,'' Sharpe said. "I'm not here to use this job as a stepping stone for any other office.''

That's a minor barb, a reference to Scott's purported interest in running for Tampa mayor in the future. More are likely to come.

Sharpe is in his second year as a commissioner after winning election in 2004 after Democrat Pat Frank left the board to run for Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Court. He already faces Republican Julieann Goggans and Democrat James Rowell, though neither has raised more than $1,000 to propel their campaigns.

That will be Scott's first challenge, since Sharpe has already raised a little more than $92,000 in six months. Scott will also try to become the first black candidate to be elected to the commission in a countywide vote instead of in a district.

Bob Buckhorn, a former Tampa City Council member who ran unsuccessfully for mayor and the commission and now does political consulting, said it should be a good contest. Sharpe is seeking re-election in a year in which Republicans are believed to be in a weakened state nationally.

"Scott has got to hope that trickles down to the local level,'' Buckhorn said. "But the county has been trending Republican, so that may work out in Sharpe's favor.''

Additionally, Scott is seen as a conservative Democrat while Sharpe is viewed as a moderate Republican. The two have been on the same side on issues such as reforming the county's indigent health plan, supporting affordable housing initiatives and increasing impact fees for school construction.

Scott's move - challenging another sitting commissioner - is rare but not unprecedented. Four years ago, District 1 Republican Stacey Easterling unsuccessfully challenged current board Chairman and fellow Republican Jim Norman for the seat he holds now.

For months, the two traded barbs at commission meetings and in political fliers. Other commissioners took sides, with Frank and Commissioner Ronda Storms, two of the board's more skilled political marksmen , taking aim for their respective allies.

Scott and Sharpe pledged to keep things professional. That will be difficult.

"I wasn't around for the Jim Norman-Stacey Easterling matchup,'' said Ken Hagan, one of two commissioners not facing an election this year. "I imagine this will be similar."

[Last modified May 26, 2006, 06:29:54]