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Politics

Heller, Cappelli set for a showdown

By LEONORA LAPETER
Published September 6, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Bill Heller handed Liz McCallum her second loss in two years in the race to represent House District 52.

Heller, a former University of South Florida St. Petersburg dean and civic leader, held onto a small lead throughout the night over McCallum, a campaign consultant who moved to St. Petersburg two years ago.

"I think I had some recognition here in the community," said Heller, who turned 71 on Sunday. "I think it's the community service that was a major player in this."

His campaign party monitored results at St. Petersburg's Great Explorations children's museum, which Heller oversees as president.

McCallum conceded at around 11 p.m. with about 500 votes separating the candidates and as final results were still being tallied. The race between the two was often acrimonious, but on Tuesday McCallum wished Heller well.

"I wish them much success because certainly this is one of the most competitive seats in the state," McCallum said. She began campaigning for Democratic House District 52 again after she lost to incumbent Frank Farkas in 2004.

In the Republican primary Tuesday, Angelo Cappelli, 36, a bank trust adviser, easily defeated Ross Johnson, 53, a part-time Realtor.

The race now pits two strong civic leaders against each other. Heller, chair of Bayfront Hospital's board of trustees and Cappelli, chair of St. Anthony's Hospital Foundation board, face off in the Nov. 7 general election. The district covers parts of Clearwater, Largo, unincorporated Pinellas and north St. Petersburg.

Heller joined the race against McCallum, 37, late at the behest of several Democrats, including former Commissioner of Education Betty Castor, who wanted a well-known Democrat for the general election.

In the Republican primary, Cappelli beat Johnson with about 63 percent of the vote. Shortly after his victory Tuesday, Cappelli pointed out that Republicans, who are in the majority, get committee leadership positions. "I represent St. Petersburg's only hope to have a St. Petersburg resident in a position of leadership in either the state House or Senate," he said.

[Last modified September 6, 2006, 06:22:53]