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Politics

Rowden gets an early start to her 2008 re-election bid

The commissioner can take contributions now that she has filed papers.

By ASJYLYN LODER
Published January 11, 2007

Election time already? Afraid so.

District 3 Commissioner Diane Rowden filed papers late Tuesday to kick-start her 2008 re-election bid.

"I just wanted to get an early start," the second-term commissioner said.

First elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, Rowden served as board chairwoman last year. The retired flight attendant is married to Democratic Executive Chairman Jay Rowden.

Now that her paperwork is filed, Rowden, 57, can take contributions. She named as her campaign treasurer Mary Ann Stanley, a High Point resident.

Campaign cash scofflaws are ...

In other news, the recently concluded election left candidates with a little unfinished business. State law requires them to spend all their contributions. Any unspent cash must be returned to the contributor or donated.

Primary election candidates had until Dec. 4 to close their accounts and report any last contributions or expenses. Several still haven't filed, said Sherri Williams, a staffer with the Supervisor of Elections office.

The scofflaws include County Commission candidates Augustino Peretti and Ronnie McLean and School Board candidate Michael Ransaw.

Russell reports campaign expenses

General election candidates have to close their accounts and report their last financial doings by Feb. 5. Several have already completed their reports.

Commissioner Dave Russell, the former state representative, reported more than $8,500 worth of last-minute campaign expenses, including nearly $5,900 spent on campaign mailers in the last week before the Nov. 7 election. He also repaid a $1,254 loan to Sarah Russell, his mother and campaign treasurer.

The last report, filed Monday, indicates that the former state legislator spent $43,574 to win the District 4 County Commission seat formerly held by newly minted State Rep. Rob Schenck, who took over Russell's old legislative seat.

With all bills paid, Russell had $96 left in the kitty, which he donated to the Brooksville Humane Society, according to the report.

"That's always been a pet project of mine," Russell said Wednesday. His opponent, Jamie Wrye, hadn't yet filed his final report, which isn't due until Feb. 5. As of Nov. 2, Wrye had raised less than $10,000, more than $3,600 out of his own pocket.

Robinson spent big in commission loss

Former Commissioner Hannah "Nancy" Robinson, who has suffered a double defeat at the ballot box and then the courts, showed last-minute expenses of about $1,700, including supplies and stamps to send out post-election thank you notes to her supporters.

She also repaid $655 in loans from herself and Michael Robinson, her husband and campaign treasurer, according to her final report, filed in December.

Robinson spent $62,613 on her losing bid - more than any other County Commission candidate this year, and nearly 17 times more than her opponent, Rose Rocco.

Rocco spent $3,790. Her last expenses totaled just under $700, and included an Election Night celebration at Carrabba's for $124, repayment of a $500 loan she made to her campaign, and a donation of her final balance of $69.74 to the Democratic Executive Committee.

Robinson, a four-term commissioner, lost to Rocco by 1,444 votes. But Robinson disputed the loss in court, saying Rocco couldn't take office because she didn't live in District 2 on Election Day. Rocco said she moved to the district before the results were official, and that qualified her for the office.

After a monthlong delay, Judge John Booth agreed with Rocco. On Dec. 21, he gave her the go-ahead to take office. Rocco was sworn in that day, celebrated a second and ceremonial swearing-in Tuesday, and took a seat at her first commission meeting.

Robinson's attorneys and supporters asked Booth for a rehearing, and Robinson may still appeal, said lawyer Robert Morris Jr.

[Last modified January 10, 2007, 20:43:21]