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Politics

Quarterback's brother in District 61 race has edge

By C.T. BOWEN
Published September 24, 2006

Last week, state Sen. Mike Fasano was describing soon-to-be Republican House District 61 candidate Will Weatherford.

He could have said Land O'Lakes High School product or graduate of Jacksonville University; member of the staff of outgoing Speaker of the House Alan Bense, or even Bense's new son-in-law.

No, he didn't highlight any of those lines on the relatively short resume.

"You know," said Fasano, "the quarterback's brother."

Weatherford the candidate is the older sibling of Drew Weatherford, quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles. It is indeed a family filled with student-athletes, but the best known is Drew.

And so for the second time in seven years, bloodlines determine the Republican nominee for the state House of Representatives district that covers most of central and east Pasco from the Green Swamp to the edge of Trinity, plus five precincts in northern Hillsborough County.

In 1999, Carl Littlefield's resignation to accept an appointment in Gov. Jeb Bush's administration allowed his largely unknown older brother, Ken, to succeed him as state representative.

Oh sure, Ken Littlefield faced a primary opponent that year, but the underfunded environmentalist Gilliam Clarke never stood a chance against the anointed successor.

This time there also is highly desirable name recognition for a first-time candidate. Except Weatherford won't need it. Ken Littlefield's belated departure for the Public Service Commission appointment means his name remains on the Nov. 7 ballot, but votes cast for him will count for Weatherford.

We don't fault Littlefield by the way. His decision to not seek re-election was the appropriate thing to do, sparing the public the time and expense of a special election to fill his vacancy.

This nomination, however, refutes Tip O'Neil's contention that all politics is local. Otherwise, somebody actually living in House District 61 would have had a legitimate shot at being selected. State law allows party leaders to pick Littlefield's replacement on that ballot, but we presumed wrongly the choice was to be made by local party leaders.

The lament in Tallahassee surrounded the hierarchy's unfamiliarity with the locals seeking to succeed Littlefield.

Too bad. With a little nosing around they might have learned Hutch Brock is an attorney, small city mayor and downtown booster. Wilton Simpson knows agriculture, business, and land use issues. Middle school principal Steve Van Gorden has hands-on experience implementing Tallahassee's educational mandates. Or, one of GOP Chairman Bill Bunting's preferences, Randy Maggard, is familiar with a small business trying to compete against the big box chains.

Van Gorden's switch to the Republican Party less than two years ago, doomed his chances.

Mostly, what the Tallahassee insiders would have learned is that life experiences beyond the political arena should count for something.

But when your brother is the quarterback and, more importantly, your father-in-law is the Speaker of the House, your political pedigree gets an immediate upgrade.

We haven't had a chance to meet Weatherford, but the logical counter argument is that he is energetic, aggressive, experienced in the legislative process and will hit the ground running instead of facing the learning curve typically traveled by freshmen legislators.

Besides, the 20-something candidate will make his hoped-for House counterpart in Pasco, John Legg, appear seasoned.

Weatherford now faces another youthful candidate, Democrat Donovan Brown. Brown's best strategy may be to hope for trickle down voter discontent if Weatherford, the quarterback, throws four or five interceptions against the University of Virginia three days before the election.

Either that, or he could target his campaign toward Gator alums.

Reach C.T. Bowen at bowen@sptimes.com or at 727-869-6239.

[Last modified September 24, 2006, 00:48:06]