2006 Know Your Candidates

To these two, it's about making a change

State House: District 12

By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 25, 2006

Victor Crist's first run for political office came 14 years ago because he wasn't happy with the amount of attention the area around the University of South Florida was getting from its leaders.

C. Burt Linthicum's moment came when he looked at a picture of the town of Linthicum, Md., where his family has deep roots, then at a photograph of his three children. For both men, inspiration came from the need to make a difference.

Linthicum, a Constitution Party candidate and newcomer to the political arena, is challenging Crist, the Republican incumbent.

Linthicum used to be a Democrat, then he switched to the Republican Party before settling on the Constitution Party.

He promises to bring "courageous and visionary" ideas, starting with limited government. Among his goals are cutting spending, lowering the debt and bringing back neighborhood schools and parental involvement. He also wants to tackle business insurance costs and rising home costs.

"When a guy like me, a businessman and career CPA, runs for office, you know we're in trouble," Linthicum said.

He looks at the photograph of his children and says he feels compelled to make a difference. "I knew that I had to take personal responsibility for fixing this mess," he said.

If Crist is re-elected, he will become the senior member of the area's legislative delegation, having served eight years in the House and 10 years in the Senate.

The Web site Project Vote Smart lists the rankings of legislators by various groups. Crist's latest score with the state Chamber of Commerce is 82 percent, and his score with the Associated Builders and Contractors is 71 percent. The Christian Coalition gave him 100 percent, and the League of Conservation Voters gave him 43 percent.

His experience will bring powerful committee assignments and important issues. He wants to tackle issues such as homeowners insurance, transportation and education.

He still is involved in the building of the university area.

Crist said he gave up two opportunities to run for higher office because there is more work to do.

"To me, it's about the work I do, the agenda I carry, the programs and services we started and are under way," he said. "It's about finishing that agenda."

The candidates

Republican

Victor Crist, 49, grew up in St. Petersburg and graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in communications and with a minor in business administration. He is a descendant of U.S. President Zachary Taylor and made his first run for public office in 1992, when he won a state House seat. Crist owns Metropolitan Communications Inc., an advertising agency. He is recently married and hopes to start a family. Assets: Homes, cars, retirement funds. Liabilities: None. Sources of income: Business, rental income, state salary. Web site: www.victorcrist.com.

Constitution Party

C. Burt Linthicum, 49, was born in Tampa and is a certified public accountant making his first run for public office. He received his accounting degree from the University of South Florida and became a CPA in 1980. He is a shareholder and audit partner for Garcia & Ortiz, CPA, in St. Petersburg. His family has roots in Maryland, including a town called Linthicum. He is married and has three children. Assets: Cash, home, cars, stock. Liabilities: Credit union loan. Source of income: CPA salary. Web site: www.burt4senate.com/.

State Senate District 12

The job

Florida Senate District 12 covers northern Hillsborough and parts of Pasco County. State senators serve four-year terms and make $30,996 per year.

[Last modified October 25, 2006, 09:53:43]