Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Democrats enthusiastic as primary plan emerges

Despite the party's meager finances and slow start, its Pasco chairwoman has hope in the wake of GOP scandals and insurance rate concerns.

By DAVID DeCAMP
Published July 16, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - Pasco County Democrats celebrated the grand opening of their new headquarters last week with cake, soda and high spirits. But hoopla could not hide evidence of the party's weakness in a county it once dominated.

Eight weeks before the Sept. 5 primary, there is no Democratic candidate for one of two County Commission seats at stake. The party's finances are so meager that it posted a wish list of supplies on Amazon.com - including 15 packages of copy paper, a stapler and a first aid kit.

And so far, the party's sole commission candidate, Nicole Deg in District 4, has collected $635 to challenge an incumbent who has raised $47,000.

So, why the optimism at Wednesday's grand opening?

Democratic Party activists and candidates say there's no time like this election. Lobbying scandals have tinged Republicans at the national level. Rocketing insurance rates have stung county voters. A closely watched congressional race has enthused activists locally, said Alison Morano, chairwoman of the Pasco Democratic Party.

"There's going to be a plan to reach out to the voters," said Morano, who took over this year, promising "to get the vote out in every race."

With qualifying Monday to Friday, Morano said the party will field candidates to run in central Pasco District 2 along with District 4 in west Pasco - priority spots for a party trying to regroup.

She said she was "not at liberty" to release any names, but announcements are coming.

Mike Cox, former Port Richey mayor and former Pasco Democratic party chairman, is considering running for Commissioner Steve Simon's seat, saying the skyrocketing home insurance rates have piqued his interest. Cox was mayor in 1991-93, and drifted out of the public eye in recent years. He kept his current plans to himself, saying he would make an announcement next week. "I don't want it to be in the newspaper yet," he said.

Four Republicans including incumbent Pat Mulieri are running in District 2. The area has 6,000 more Republican voters than Democrats, the highest advantage of the five commission districts.

The Democrats' problems were out of sight at the grand opening Wednesday night, which featured Alex Sink, a Democratic star running to be the state's chief financial officer. Phyllis Busansky, who is receiving help from the national party while running for Congress, also came, helping Sink cut the ribbon among 60 activists. They also say success is possible because voters decide support based on the person, not solely political parties.

Yet county voters have turned solidly to Republicans, and their party and its incumbents this year have much more money on hand than their opponents.

Pasco's growth has fueled the Republicans' dominance in all but one county office, Tax Collector Mike Olson's job. Change was most apparent when President Bush easily won the county in 2004, after Al Gore beat him here four years earlier.

"I don't know why their batteries are so charged up," said Bill Bunting, the county Republican Party chairman. He said the Washington scandals will not diminish Republican hopes or turnout, although the insurance issue could spark trouble.

Deg's case is indicative. Though she has made headlines over her activism for home insurance reform, she has received $635 in outside donations, according to campaign finance reports. She plans to provide her campaign $4,600 so she can pay to qualify. She acknowledged she has to rely more on her wits than the party without abandoning her allegiances. "The Democrats are rebuilding, you have to respect that," said Deg, facing Republican Simon's stash of $47,000 in contributions.

Inside the party headquarters - a small converted home on County Road 54 near U.S. 19 - leaders say they're making headway to support candidates like Deg. A new voter database can help link people to important issues. Neighborhood walks are being organized.

"People are looking at her, to help her," Morano said.

[Last modified July 15, 2006, 22:15:37]