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District 57 Republican

By THE TIMES RECOMMENDS
Published October 21, 2006

Faye Culp

Faye Culp's ambition has led her at times to cater more to the Republican leadership than to her Tampa constituency. An example was her vote for the Legislature to intervene in the Terri Schiavo right-to-die case - a vote Culp, 66, now admits was wrong yet defends as erring "on the side of life."

Culp's voting record is solidly conservative and probusiness. But her tendency to equivocate keeps her from being a social warrior on the right wing of her party. Culp, 66, also is accessible and open to alternative views. But what distinguishes her from the Democrat, Deborah Cope, is her ongoing commitment to serve her community. Beyond having a long history of civic involvement, Culp is the go-to in this South Tampa and Town 'N Country district for help charting the labyrinth of state-funded services and programs. She supports improving mass transit and child welfare services, and she was one of the few elected officials who criticized Hillsborough commissioners for taunting gays.

Cope, 45, an environmental activist, has the right growth-management agenda. But she disappears between elections and her solutions to problems are Democratic boilerplate. Green Party candidate Brian Becker, a 37-year-old real estate investor, has limited community experience. In Florida House District 57, the Times recommends Faye Culp.

[Last modified October 21, 2006, 02:10:07]