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Letter to the editor

Politics

2-time hopeful will run again

By WILL VAN SANT, Times Staff Writer
Published November 16, 2007

CLEARWATER - Norm Roche, a two-time County Commission contender, is back.

Roche, a Democrat, announced Thursday he would run for the District 5 commission seat held by Republican Karen Seel. Seel has been on the commission since then-Gov. Jeb Bush appointed her in 1999.

The single-member district includes most of Clearwater, Largo and the beach from Sand Key to Indian Shores.

Roche, 45, of Clearwater said that despite losses in two commission races, he still has a passion for politics. The current board, he said, makes too many unanimous votes and is in need of fresh blood.

In 2006, Roche drew criticism during his challenge to incumbent County Commissioner Calvin Harris when his brother, Brian Roche, filed as a general election write-in candidate. The move closed the primary to all but Democratic voters and eliminated Harris' expected support from Republicans. Harris went on to win both the primary and the election.

In 2004, Roche lost to current County Commission Chairman Ronnie Duncan, taking 45 percent of the vote.

Will Van Sant can be reached at vansant@sptimes.com or 445-4166.

[Last modified November 16, 2007, 00:22:23]