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Race is on for judgeships

By Times Staff
Published May 31, 2006

Gov. Jeb Bush hasn't even signed the legislation creating two county judge positions for Pinellas and another circuit judge position. But the political jockeying is already under way.

St. Petersburg attorney Robert "Bo" Michael, who has run unsuccessfully for judge three times, recently sent a letter announcing his intention to run for a county judgeship to restore public confidence in our local judiciary. He said he plans on launching a media blitz soon, including billboards.

"In order to successfully reach the voters of Pinellas County, I intend to initially fund my campaign with $150,000 of my own money. This figure will be reflected in my campaign report, which will be due at the end of June. I am also prepared to commit additional funds to my campaign," Michael wrote.

Some other Pinellas candidates we expect to see in the mix for the positions: former circuit judge candidate Jack Day; Susan Bedinghaus, wife of former Pinellas GOP chairman Paul Bedinghaus; and public defender Lorraine Kelly.

TEACHER SUPPORT: Teachers unions lean heavily Democratic, but in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, the teachers are backing the leading Republican candidate, Bilirakis' son, state Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs. Following the recommendation of the Florida Education Association, the National Education Association is supporting Bilirakis. But Democrat Phyllis Busansky's campaign says they too expect a union endorsement in the 9th Congressional District race. Republican David Langheier is also running for that seat.

Meanwhile, Bilirakis recently picked up another Democratic endorsement, from former state House Speaker H. Lee Moffitt: "I've known Gus Bilirakis for many years and during his terms as a state legislator, and I've come to respect him as a leader who unites the community with his honesty and humility and strong work ethic."

The FEA also apparently didn't get the memo that Democratic St. Petersburg City Council member Rick Kriseman is the frontrunner to replace state Rep. Charlie Justice of St. Petersburg in heavily Democratic state House District 53. The FEA threw its support to attorney Charlie Gerdes, a Democrat, who also picked up the endorsement of the Florida AFL-CIO.

"If we are going to subsidize employers by forgoing tax revenue that could benefit schools and infrastructure, then we need to hold these employers to a high standard when it comes to job quality and justice," Gerdes said of the AFL-CIO endorsement.

In the widely watched race to succeed state Rep. Frank Farkas in House District 52, the FEA and AFL-CIO endorsed the lone Democrat in the race, Liz McCallum. But it's uncertain how firmly they remain behind McCallum if, as is widely expected, Bill Heller, the former vice president and executive officer of the University of South Florida's St. Petersburg campus, gets in the race. Democrats have been heavily courting Heller.

BERFIELD'S BUCKS: Republican state representatives Kim Berfield and Farkas are vying for the GOP nomination to succeed state Sen. Jim Sebesta, and Berfield is starting to spend the nearly $400,000 she had raised through March. She recently sent voters a slick color brochure encouraging them to sign a petition card to get Berfield's name on the ballot. "Kim Berfield is our Voice in Tallahassee!'' reads the lead headline.

CREATIVE CAMPAIGNING: In the race to succeed Jim Davis in the 11th Congressional District, underdog Scott Farrell is emerging as the most creative campaigner. First came his campaign RV powered by old vegetable oil (though we never quite understood how he expected to sway Tampa voters driving to Bonnie Raitt concerts in N.C. and D.C.). Now comes a campaign song, You Want Change, which is breathtaking in its corniness:

"Hardworking people need a hardworking man. One who rolls his sleeves up, one who understands. That man is Scott Farrell, Scott will get it done. New ideas, new directions, Scott Farrell is the one!"

Bob "I'm a Graham Cracker" Graham would approve.

Adam C. Smith and Aaron Sharockman contributed to this week's Political Junkie. For more political news, visit http:// www.sptimes.com/blogs/buzz.

[Last modified May 31, 2006, 06:54:02]