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Politics

In House District 53, a polite Democratic primary

"If the people have two good choices, then the people win," one says. Each says he will support the other if he loses.

By ALISA ULFERTS
Published September 2, 2006

For Charles Gerdes, running for a seat in the state House is a little like fighting City Hall - or at least one well-financed piece of it.

Gerdes, a commercial litigator, is outraised and outspent 5-1 by opponent Rick Kriseman in the Democratic primary for House District 53.

Kriseman, a six-year St. Petersburg City Council member, has TV commercials. His Web site sells T-shirts, coffee mugs, refrigerator magnets and even a doggie T-shirt emblazoned with his green and white campaign logo. (The organic cotton T-shirt alone is $20.)

Gerdes has neighborhood association picnics. The only airwaves he has are the friends and supporters who wave his signs in the air on street corners throughout the district.

As of Friday, Kriseman had pulled in $121,731 in contributions and spent $112,041. Gerdes has raised $21,495 and spent $20,951.

The difference in their finances - Kriseman has pulled in money from some of the big companies that have interests in the city, such as developer Sembler Co. - represents why Gerdes says he's running in the first place.

"The people's voice isn't being heard and the people's work isn't being done," Gerdes said.

For his part, Kriseman said his campaign machinery is evidence of his ability to get things done.

"I'm pragmatic. I get things accomplished. I'm able to work with the other side," Kriseman said.

The two men are running for the seat left vacant by Rep. Charlie Justice, who's termed out and is running for state Senate. District 53 is considered a safe seat for Democrats.

Both Kriseman and Gerdes, if elected, want to serve on the House's Education Committee, though Gerdes' children attended private Catholic schools. Both insist that the class-size reduction act voters added to the state Constitution four years ago needs to be fully funded.

From there, Gerdes said he'd like to serve on the Commerce Committee , while Kriseman said he wants the Transportation Committee.

Both vow to help solve the state's homeowners insurance mess.

Unlike some of the primaries for the state Legislature, the race between Kriseman and Gerdes has been relatively polite. Neither has attacked the other in mailers or commercials as has been the case in other legislative races, though Kriseman doesn't hesitate to call himself the better Democrat.

"I am socially liberal," Kriseman said.

Gerdes says his opposition to a development project Kriseman supported - Gerdes is the attorney for the residents opposed to the rezoning - was not a factor in his decision to run. Gerdes says he's running for a House seat, not against Kriseman. "If the people have two good choices, then the people win," Gerdes said.

"If the people choose Rick, then I'll be one of his supporters. And if the choose me, I'd hope he'd reciprocate," Gerdes said.

Kriseman said Gerdes can count on it.

"If he's the Democratic candidate I absolutely will be supporting him," Kriseman said.

[Last modified September 4, 2006, 06:49:13]