Hernando races and issues
November 8, 2004
Two blind voters say privacy violated
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Both had to speak their choices aloud because the county has no voting machines for the visually impaired. Officials say they'll try to do what they can to make the process easier - for the next election.
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November 4, 2004
Absentees erase slim deficit
By DUANE BOURNE
Frankie Burnett trailed Brent Gaustad by one vote for Brooksville City Council. But he didn't sweat. Absentee ballots were still out.
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Big vote and 'silly little' glitches
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
More than 72 percent of registered voters continue a trend of strong turnout. Computer problems keep counters up all night.
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County switches sides in selecting Bush
By WILL VAN SANT
Hernando's Republican Executive Committee says devotion to gathering the support of undecided Democrats paid off.
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Morning brings defeat to sheriff's challenger
By DUANE BOURNE
Eddie McConnell insisted on waiting to concede as votes were counted. Wednesday came, and brought clarity.
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Gracious words of victory by Fagan; in defeat, by Prescott
By Times Staff Writer
The runoff race for the Hernando County School Board District 2 seat ended as graciously as it had begun.
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Stephen Spivey wins race; five other judges retained
By Times Staff Writer
Stephen Spivey won all five counties in the 5th Judicial Circuit Group 10 race against Michael Takac.
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November 3, 2004
Fagan leads decisively, vows to seek consensus
By MARY SPICUZZA
BROOKSVILLE - Pat Fagan appeared headed toward a decisive victory over Linda Prescott in the runoff race to replace retiring Hernando County School Board member Gail David.
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He's been voting for presidents since Calvin Coolidge
By WILL VAN SANT
At age 102, William Anderson has seen the best and worst of presidents, with FDR coming out on top.
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Nugent 'thrilled' as he heads to easy win
By DUANE BOURNE
BROOKSVILLE - If Democratic challenger James "Eddie" McConnell was looking for a replay of his close race in 2000 for Hernando County sheriff, it didn't appear it would happen.
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Precincts experience only minor problems
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Most agree that voting was fairly trouble free across Hernando County, with just a few complaints during what was expected to be a strong turnout.
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Pugh cruises in 1 race; recount likely in other
By LOGAN NEILL
BROOKSVILLE - High school teacher and coach Brent Gaustad and local NAACP chapter president Frankie Burnett were separated by a single vote, with absentee ballots outstanding in the Group 3 race for City Council late Tuesday.
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Voters pack polls with vigor
By DAN DeWITT
Around the county, passionate crowds turn out for their local and national candidates and aren't shy about sharing their opinions.
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In Hernando: experience, Democrats
By WILL VAN SANT
Voters put two familiar faces on the County Commission. Democrats will have a 3-2 majority.
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November 2, 2004
GOP heavyweights barnstorm in Brooksville
By MARY SPICUZZA
Gov. Bush, U.S. Senate candidate Mel Martinez and U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite galvanize the crowd at party headquarters.
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Poll watchers eye one another
By WILL VAN SANT
Both Republicans and Democrats say their poll watchers will be there to help, while accusing their opponents of trying to interfere.
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November 1, 2004
Election interest overtakes apathy
By BRITTANEY KIEFER
Classrooms are buzzing about the presidential race. The county has nearly twice as many registered 18- to 25-year-olds as in 2000. Who says young people don't care about politics?
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Expressions of democracy
By DAN DeWITT
People are showing strong interest in the election in different ways: by voting early, demonstrating and yelling at demonstrators.
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October 31, 2004
Candidates rake in last contributions
By JENNIFER LIBERTO and WILL VAN SANT
Political contributors pull out their checkbooks and funnel thousands of dollars into local races.
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Counties spending, but not lavishly
By WILL VAN SANT
An analysis shows public spending by Hernando, Citrus and Pasco counties is rising sharply - but not necessarily out of line with their growth.
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October 29, 2004
Council election is for city's future
By DUANE BOURNE
The direction of Brooksville will be determined by the two candidates elected Tuesday and three new faces in 2006.
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October 28, 2004
Candidate finds his party
By WILL VAN SANT
But Steven Ashmore discovers the Constitution Party too late to register in time for Nov. 2 voting.
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Candidates' stance on schools similar
By MARY SPICUZZA
School Board hopefuls call for quick action on teacher pay and overcrowding but have little else in common.
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October 26, 2004
Keep Nugent as sheriff
A Times Editorial
Four years ago Richard Nugent and James E. "Eddie" McConnell waged intense campaigns to earn voters' consent to take over the county's top law enforcement job. As longtime employees of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, each candidate offered voters solid experience, dynamic personalities and believable promises to do a good job and help make the county a safer place to live.
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October 24, 2004
Face to face
By Times Staff Writer
One of the most hotly contested political races in Hernando County this year is a rematch of the 2000 race for sheriff.
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October 20, 2004
State House race remains divided on water issue
By DAN DeWITT
State Rep. David D. Russell Jr. is best known for a bill tying development to the availability of water. Opponent Jim Hughes says the measure won't work.
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October 19, 2004
Foe says Brown-Waite should return $14,000
By RAGHURAM VADAREVU
Robert Whittel says the funds are linked to a group whose fundraising is drawing scrutiny.
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Hundreds line up to cast ballots early
By WILL VAN SANT
About 850 people take advantage of early voting Monday. Their reasons and politics vary, but they agree early voting is a good idea.
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Candidate responses
A Times Editorial
Steve Ashmore, County Commission, District 3, no party
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October 18, 2004
Integrity, FCAT major issues in District 15 race
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Incumbent Paula Dockery faces political newcomer and Democrat Carol Castagnero, who wants to eliminate the statewide assessment test.
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FOP is not haven for the discontented
Letters to the Editor
The Times recommends the following candidates, all Republican incumbents whose districts include all or part of Hernando County, be returned to the state Legislature:
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October 17, 2004
Too many new ordinances? Candidates weigh in
By WILL VAN SANT
County Commission candidates call some new ordinances intrusive. Current officials say voters, who initiated the changes anyway, aren't complaining.
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Prescott edges out Fagan for School Board seat
A Times Editorial
Hernando County residents who want to add a competent, insightful, conscientious professional to the School Board are in luck. Their wish will be granted on Nov. 2 when voters elect either Linda Prescott or Pat Fagan to the open District 2 seat.
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October 16, 2004
Elect to vote early? Go ahead
By WILL VAN SANT
Balloting will start Monday in Brooksville and Spring Hill. You can even make your choices on a Saturday.
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October 15, 2004
Kingsley for District 5 County Commission seat
A Times Editorial
Voters are dealing with two familiar names in the race for Hernando County Commission District 5.
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October 13, 2004
Rowden clear choice for commission District 3
A Times Editorial
Few people can argue that Diane Rowden does not work as hard as any Hernando County commissioner. She's accessible and ready to listen to the concerns of her constituents, willing to immerse herself in almost any issue, large or small, and to roll up her sleeves in pursuit of a solution.
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October 10, 2004
Voters' antigrowth views guide hopefuls
By DAN DeWITT
Candidates promise to check sprawl, stick to long-term plans and make developers pitch in for roads and schools.
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Stabins has decided edge
A Times Editorial
It appears the two candidates for Hernando County Commission District 1 agree on more issues than they disagree on. Considering that one, Jeff Stabins, is a Republican and the other, D.W. "Bill" Fagan, is a Democrat, their platforms are remarkably similar.
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October 9, 2004
Deadline brings flurry of signups
By WILL VAN SANT
In 2000, on the last day to register, 54 Hernando residents signed up. This year on the last day, 424 did, elections officials say.
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September 16, 2004
Venture stays out of campaign talk
By COLLEEN JENKINS
A man running for the Hernando County Commission says a sex enhancement supplement business is run by his wife, not him.
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September 2, 2004
Gated communities helped challenger whip Hyslop
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Assistant State Attorney Don Scaglione, who had less campaign money, cultivated such voters this time around, and it paid off.
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Recount finds just 1 vote in District 5
By WILL VAN SANT
The tight race prompted the automatic recount. Janey Baldwin now faces Chris Kingsley and a write-in Nov. 2.
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September 1, 2004
County Judge: Scaglione unseats Hyslop
By JENNIFER LIBERTO
Assistant State Attorney Don Scaglione accused the incumbent county judge of being soft on crime and inefficient.
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To voters, the best politics involve local issues, concerns
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Many questioned in their precincts say they chiefly focus on candidates and issues close to home.
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County Commission: Recount in one race
By WILL VAN SANT
BROOKSVILLE - With less than half a percent difference in the top two vote totals, Hernando elections officials will conduct a mandatory recount today to confirm whether Janey Baldwin defeated James Adkins in Tuesday's District 5 Republican primary for County Commission.
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School Board: Malcolm keeps seat; runoff for District 2
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Pat Fagan and Linda Prescott will square off in the Nov. 2 general election to replace Gail David, who is retiring.
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August 31, 2004
Voters, do your part at the polls
A Times Editorial
Supervisor of Elections Annie Williams is predicting that 60 percent of Hernando County's registered voters will go to the polls today.
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Tuesday's election
A Times Editorial
For today's primary elections, the Times has published detailed recommendations for every contest. They are available online at www.sptimes.com Click on "Election 2004" and then "Times recommendations."
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Polls expect hefty turnout
By WILL VAN SANT
Elections officials predict increased political interest will bring large numbers of voters to the polls today.
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August 30, 2004
Candidates respond
Letters to the Editor
Luke Frazier
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