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Party switch may clingto Murman

The former state representative also faces a tough opponent in Ronda Storms for the Republican nomination for a Senate seat.

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published July 7, 2006

Republican state Senate candidate Sandy Murman says she has proved in Tallahassee she can advance an "ultra-conservative agenda."

But as the former state representative faces a tough Republican primary in the race to succeed state Sen. Tom Lee, she has to explain her words during her first political campaign: "My platform is the Democratic agenda."

That's how Murman, a longtime children's advocate, in 1996 explained why she switched from Republican to Democrat to run for the state House. She subsequently switched back to Republican, and in a Political Connections interview that aired Sunday said her problem with Democrats boiled down mainly to abortion.

"I definitely am very prolife and always had been. ... They did not accept me," Murman said of Democratic leaders in the taped interview that aired on Bay News 9. She said she has proved to be a strong conservative with a record of accomplishment.

"What's important in this race is actually getting results. That's what I pride myself on, is bringing people together to get those results."

But Republican rival Ray Young said voters in the primary should consider Murman's embracing of the Democratic Party 10 years ago because it raises questions about core beliefs and thought processes: "When you look at people that go from one party to the other, is that really the stability we're looking for in our leadership?" Young asked.

Murman is running against Young, a Plant City businessman, and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms for the Republican nomination for Senate District 10. The primary winner will face Democrat Stephen Gorham in November.

By many estimates, the ever-vocal Storms is the front-runner, because she is the best-known name in the race.

In the Political Connections interview, Murman suggested that constituents would be ill served sending the sometimes combative Storms to the Legislature.

"If you can't be a consensus builder, that means you're probably not going to get your agenda advanced. You're probably not going to be able to get a lot of things done for your district," Murman said. "It's just a difference in styles. I'm more achievement-oriented; they're more ideology."

Storms scoffed at that, saying that she works with other commissioners to get initiatives passed. Storms said Murman may boast of passing 64 bills in the Legislature, but as a commissioner she has referred more than 6,000 citizen requests to her staff for action.

"You can't match me for achievement," Storms said in a phone interview.

Murman's Political Connections interview can be seen at no cost on Channel 340 Tampa Bay on Demand.

Times staff writer Bill Varian contributed to this report. Adam C. Smith can be reached at (727) 893-8241 or asmith@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 19:37:58]