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Something for every taste in primary

The three candidates for the Democratic Party's nomination for the District 5 U.S. House seat represent distinct styles.

By ELENA LESLEY
Published August 22, 2006

THE CANDIDATES

RICK PENBERTHY, 52, was born in Tonawanda, N.Y., and lives in Wesley Chapel with his wife and four children. He has a bachelor's degree in international studies and a master's in political science from the University of South Florida. He has worked as a high school social studies teacher in Pinellas County for the past 23 years and also teaches at the community college level. Penberthy served in the infantry during the Vietnam War and later in the Navy Reserve. He ran for this seat in 2004.

JOHN RUSSELL, 50, of Dade City was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He graduated from D'Youville College in Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in nursing and has earned several advanced degrees related to business and health care. He works as a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa and is a member of several civic groups. Russell ran for this seat in 2004. He is single.

DAVID WERDER, 51, of Spring Hill was born in Newton, N.J. He attended the Virginia Military Institute for two years and studied engineering and media at Orange County Community College in Middletown, N.Y. Werder worked various jobs, including truck driving, until a head-on collision in 1993 left him disabled. In the early 1980s, Werder set a world record for sitting on a flagpole in Clearwater for 439 days to protest the price of gasoline. He has twice run for Congress as a write-in candidate. He is single.

Democratic voters in District 5 have three distinct personalities to choose from in the Sept. 5 congressional primary: a comedian, a nice guy and a firebrand.

There aren't many substantive differences among the challengers to Republican incumbent Ginny Brown-Waite. All favor disengaging from Iraq, revamping health care and "fighting for middle America."

So voters will likely pick the candidate whose style most appeals to them.

But no matter who wins the contest, the question nagging many district residents is, can any of the candidates beat Brown-Waite, an entrenched incumbent with a flair for constituent services?

With some public sentiment turning against the Bush administration, Republican upsets are anticipated throughout the country this year. But District 5 has not been pegged as vulnerable by most political analysts.

Candidates David Werder, Rick Penberthy and John Russell think experts have underestimated popular discontent.

"Americans are looking for new ideas," Penberthy said. "I know, because I collected over 6,000 signatures to get on the ballot."

But voters will have to decide which candidate can potentially capitalize on the political shift.

David Werder, who once broke a world record for flagpole-sitting 439 days, 11 hours, six minutes suspended over Clearwater is the comedian.

If people don't know him from the flagpole, he says, they might recognize his eccentric Spring Hill home.

"Someday you'll be driving along and you'll see an outhouse," Werder wrote in a personal statement. "That's where I live. Try not to run over my chickens."

Though Werder has run for Congress in the past, this year is different. He gathered enough signatures to be placed on the ballot.

"In all my long years I've lived here, I haven't lost a single chicken due to the road," he continues. "What I have lost though, is two elections as a write-in candidate."

Werder's grasp of national and world affairs is a bit hazy, but he's a big hit as a speaker.

Donning a straw hat and spitting a string of one-liners, Werder worked the audience at the recent Citrus County Chronicle political forum.

He announced that he'd spoken to a die-hard Republican and the man told him, "I would vote for the devil before I would vote for you."

Werder quipped that he told the man Brown-Waite was not, in fact, the devil.

Russell, the firebrand, isn't so sure.

Known for his aggressive and tenacious style, the acute care nurse accuses Brown-Waite of conspiring with big business to the detriment of average Americans.

Who has favored insurance companies over hardworking people, and voted away benefits to the veterans she's vowed to support? Russell asked the audience at the Chronicle forum.

"Incumbent representative you-know-who," he answered ominously.

Though opponents have called him a "pit bull," accusing him of politicking with a bullhorn, Russell prides himself as an engaged political activist.

He says he's what the Democrats need, someone with "passion and grit."

"Are you better off?" he booms at political forums, more a declaration than a question.

"Have you had enough?"

Russell then launches into a tirade against the war, special interests and incumbent representative you-know-who.

Penberthy, the nice guy, is Russell's calmer counterpart.

He likes to emphasize consistency and stability, repeating that he's a veteran, a longtime schoolteacher and a father of four.

"I understand family issues first-hand," he said.

Penberthy's also a lifelong Democrat, unlike Russell, who switched parties several times.

His most recent switch was in 2000, when he changed his affiliation to Republican so, he says, he could vote against George W. Bush in a primary.

He has since changed back to Democrat.

"You don't change parties like you change your socks," said Penberthy, who has run for Congress once as a Democrat.

Though his attempt in 2004 was unsuccessful, Penberthy says he has a more polished campaign this time around.

"Ginny can be beat," Penberthy said. "But it'll take money."

So far, the national Democratic Party hasn't offered to chip in.

"I think (the national party) is out of touch with this race," Penberthy said. "We need to fight for every seat."

Elena Lesley can be reached at (352) 564-3627 or elesley@sptimes.com.

[Last modified August 21, 2006, 22:35:56]