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Politics

Home base nudges Storms to victory

By BEN MONTGOMERY
Published November 8, 2006

BRANDON - The race for state Senate District 10 was closer than expected Tuesday night, but Republican Ronda Storms edged out a safe win over political newcomer Stephen Gorham.

Storms said she was not surprised by the narrow margin because Democrats staged an eleventh-hour campaign against her, making claims that were "patently false."

"The DNC was pounding me pretty relentlessly," she said. "I started out at 5-5, and ended up at 5-3, so what I learned was my legs are strong."

Gorham, 28, of Plant City took the portions of Polk and Pasco counties, but the Iraq war veteran fell short in Hillsborough, where Storms is a household name.

"I'm disappointed, but you know what? I see hope," Gorham said late Tuesday. "I see that folks are ready for change and that's proven in my vote tonight. It was not about party tonight, it was about who's going to effect change."

The suburban swath around Brandon is Storms' stomping ground. She graduated from Brandon High and attends the First Baptist Church of Brandon. Her constituents say she works hard for them, and takes action when potholes need repair and stop signs need replacing.

Storms, who has served on the Hillsborough County Commission since 1998, stayed away from the spotlight in recent months, often missing opportunities to debate Gorham in public forums.

Many considered the race in the Republican-leaning district over after Storms won the primary, defeating two-term state Rep. Sandra Murman.

But the general election race heated up as election day neared and a Democrat-funded poll showed Gorham inching ahead. The state Republican Party took aim at Gorham, claiming in a package of television advertisements and automated calls that the Iraq war veteran who belongs to the National Rifle Association was a liberal.

Others came out in opposition to Storms, who made waves last year when she opposed county support for gay pride events.

"It's sad and it's pathetic when a woman who hurts people like she has can win," said Michael Freincle, a gay rights activist.

Beth Sutkowy, Storms' campaign manager, said Storms wasn't surprised by the pressure from gay and lesbian groups.

Storms pulled in $635,000 in contributions to Gorham's $123,000.

[Last modified November 8, 2006, 06:03:47]