News

Withdrawal shakes up race

A Realtor drops his Clerk of the Circuit Court bid and backs Dan Tipton for the job.

By Jodie Tillman and David DeCamp Times Staff Writers
Published October 18, 2007

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ADVERTISEMENT Realtor Greg Armstrong is leaving the race and now supports Dan Tipton for the clerk's job. New Port Richey Mayor Dan Tipton plans to join two others in the race for the clerk's job.

NEW PORT RICHEY - One announcement Wednesday changed the face of a county political race, the real estate business and even the future makeup of the New Port Richey City Council.

Realtor Greg Armstrong announced he is dropping out of the 2008 race for Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court. His reason? He recently bought the residential portion of F.I. Grey and Sons, the prominent New Port Richey real estate firm that has been in the Grey family for 83 years.

Oh, and one more thing: Armstrong said he will throw his support behind New Port Richey Mayor Dan Tipton, who says he will soon announce his bid to replace Clerk of Courts Jed Pittman, who is retiring after more than three decades in power.

Armstrong's hat trick of an announcement came after Tipton told him Tuesday that he'd made up his mind to run, Armstrong said.

"When I determined that I could no longer pursue my candidacy, I sought out another person who I felt would bring the same focus on service to the Clerk's position," Armstrong said in his statement. "I think I have found that person in New Port Richey Mayor Dan Tipton."

Tipton confirmed Wednesday that he has filled out the paperwork to run but has not filed. He plans to finish his city council term and not run for re-election in April.

"It's been my desire to run for higher office," said Tipton, the 55-year-old owner of an interior remodeling company. "But I would not be running if Jed Pittman was not retiring."

Armstrong was the first person to enter any 2008 county race and has raised $8,350. He said he plans to return the money to donors.

In July, he and his partners, wife, Cynthia, and Realtor William J. Bunting, closed on F.I. Grey's residential business.

Armstrong and 40 agents who handle residential sales moved to an office in the River Crossing development off Little Road. The Greys and their handful of commercial agents are remaining at their New Port Richey office on U.S. 19 near Main Street.

Armstrong's company will continue to use the F.I. Grey and Sons name. "People think the world of the Grey family," said Armstrong. "I wouldn't even think about changing it."

Until September, said Armstrong, he thought he could do it all.

He'd work about 20 hours a week and devote the rest of his time to his campaign. But he said he underestimated the work it would take to operate a new residential real estate company in this market, especially with business down nearly 40 percent from two years ago. And he agreed to take over leadership of the West Pasco Board of Realtors, which is struggling to attract new members.

"It was probably a dream on my part," Armstrong said. "But it got down to which commitment meant more."

Republican Paula O'Neil of Bayonet Point and Democrat Bob Altman have filed to run for Clerk. O'Neil is Pittman's chief deputy. Altman lost to Pittman in 2004.

Former Wesley Chapel state Rep. Ken Littlefield has considered running but says a decision won't come until next year.

Bill Bunting, chairman of the Pasco Republican Party, said the party would prefer to have one candidate to focus on, avoiding a primary election fight next year. But he called the current candidates good.

"I don't think either of them has a leg up at this point," said Bunting, who is not related to Armstrong's partner of the same name.

Jodie Tillman can be reached at jtillman@sptimes.com or 727 869-6247. David DeCamp can be reached at ddecamp@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6232.

[Last modified October 18, 2007, 07:38:18]