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Candidate drops bid for state House seat

Democratic hopeful Alan Rankin doesn't hold back in explaining why he wants no part of Florida politics.

By JODIE TILLMAN
Published July 20, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - Three months ago, Democrat Alan Rankin laid out his reasons for running for state representative in a fiery, ornate candidate's statement.

"I may be only one man, but if elected, I will serve the people of this Great State in a mannerism they have never known," Rankin wrote then. "The voice of the people and their needs will be heard and relief shall be sought."

On Wednesday, Rankin remained fiery - about why he was dropping out of the District 46 race.

Before hanging up less than 30 seconds into a telephone interview about his candidacy, Rankin said he did not want any part of the "b---s---" of politics and would not tolerate being in the "limelight."

"I'm not interested in getting in Florida politics," said Rankin, a New Port Richey resident who would have faced Republican incumbent John Legg. "It's too cliquish."

His decision leaves the Democrats without a candidate in the race. The party also has no candidate in one of the two Pasco County commissioner's seats at stake.

Pasco Democratic Party Chairwoman Alison Morano said Wednesday she did not believe the party would find a candidate to run for the state seat by Friday, the qualifying deadline. But she said she is optimistic because "we've got such strong candidates in other (state) races."

Rankin refused to explain the sudden change in attitude. His wife, Brenda, who answered the door at their home, said he was not interested in talking further.

It wasn't the first time that Rankin, a real estate investor who is opening a sporting goods and pawn shop on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, has tried Florida politics. Though he registered as a Democrat in Pasco County last November, he ran unsuccessfully for Senate District 5 in the northern part of the state in 2004 - in the Republican primary.

Morano said Wednesday afternoon that she was aware that Rankin had been a Republican candidate less than two years ago.

"He came into the race on his own," said Morano, "and he decided not to run on his own."

[Last modified July 19, 2006, 22:12:14]