Pasco races and issues
February 19, 2005
Judge faces new election charges
By COLLEEN JENKINS
Did $95,000 John Renke III spent on his campaign came from earned income or was it donated by his father?
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November 7, 2004
24 years at the elections helm
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
Kurt Browning whips a dreaded election into shape even as he faces a challenger for his job.
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Key lesson: Don't ignore mid county
By JAMES THORNER
For decades, central Pasco was no problem for politicians - few voters existed. Now they abound and are mostly Republican.
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November 4, 2004
Bush based hunch on Pasco
By LUCY MORGAN
Gov. Jeb Bush predicted his brother would win Florida after seeing early returns from the county.
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Newcomer's win surprises even backers
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Jack Mariano's bid for a County Commission seat had the support of high-profile GOP state Sen. Mike Fasano.
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President wins uncounted, precocious ballots of county
By MICHELE MILLER
It's a landslide in Kids Voting booths, where children learn about the confusion and importance of elections.
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Waiting the hard part for Whaley
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
When the School Board incumbent fell asleep Tuesday night, she didn't know if she'd beaten Ryan O'Reilly. Wednesday morning, she still didn't.
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Legg takes first steps on new role's journey
By MELIA BOWIE
Freshly elected to the state House, John Legg sent faxes to its leader as he prepares to "get right to work."
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November 3, 2004
Fiorentino secures job after tough quest
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
A politically charged primary and the governor's support push the state representative past her Democratic rival.
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Incumbent Hildebrand sails to sixth term
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
NEW PORT RICHEY - County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand snapped up her sixth term Tuesday, handily defeating challenger Keith Waldron and write-in candidate Jon Kueny.
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Jack Mariano upsets Peter Altman
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
"It's unbelievable," newcomer Mariano, 44, said from his Beacon Woods home.
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John Legg edges out Democrat
By MELIA BOWIE
After a campaign soaks up money and spews attacks, victory goes to a Republican who has worked with Fiorentino and Fasano.
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November 2, 2004
Flier on phone company donations zings back
By MELIA BOWIE
The Republican's mailer about campaign contributions gets an answer from the Democrat: So did you.
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Whaley critic denies ties to her opponent
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Election complaints against Marge Whaley have been faxed to the Pasco Times editorial board from a phone listed at Ryan O'Reilly's family business or "The O'Reilly's."
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November 1, 2004
Challenger can't ruffle sheriff's confidence
By STEVE THOMPSON
Content to let his term speak for itself, Sheriff Bob White responds to opponent Darlene Greene's criticisms but says little else.
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Swarmed board race avoids the jugular
By STEVE THOMPSON
Five candidates want the one Mosquito Control Board seat, but they avoid political bloodletting.
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October 31, 2004
Qualifications, not issues, differentiate candidates
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Could this really be politics?
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School race reveals alignment
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Ryan O'Reilly's campaign literature for Pasco County School Board says he's "A Teacher, A Father, A Leader."
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October 30, 2004
Early voting trend catches on in big way
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
With days to go before the election, early voting and absentee ballots have already boosted turnout to 20 percent.
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October 29, 2004
Candidates clash on position's main goal
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
While Peter Altman says he tends to focus on the larger issues, his opponent Jack Mariano says taking care of constituents should be a commissioner's primary mission.
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October 26, 2004
Pace of early voting picks up
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Thousands went to the polls after receiving their sample ballots this weekend - but some decided the wait was too long.
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October 25, 2004
Hopefuls tout goals for clerk of court
By COLLEEN JENKINS
The candidates are billing themselves as men from two very different sides of the courthouse.
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October 23, 2004
Returns look good for early voting plan
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
The chance to avoid long lines on Nov. 2 is proving popular with Pasco voters who are finding either no wait or very short ones. Polls are open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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October 22, 2004
Election chief warns of absentee scam
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
People posing as election officials are visiting residents of several counties and offering to take absentee ballots.
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October 19, 2004
Be patient, it's a historic visit
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Bush's arrival today in New Port Richey marks the first by a sitting president in recent memory. Expect tight security and hordes of people.
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Unusual bustle as early voting begins
By STEPHEN HEGARTYAND BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
It's only Day One, and voters speculate they need to hurry. On Nov. 2, they might break a leg, or something.
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Fiorentino captures support from ex-challenger's backers
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Finance reports show the Republican candidate in the superintendent of schools race received funding from 62 past Chuck Rushe backers.
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October 18, 2004
In this race, counting votes counts big
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
Touch-screen voting and a rare opponent make this a different campaign for longtime Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning.For both the political novice and six-term incumbent in Pasco's elections supervisor race, the 2004 election will be a new experience.
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Opponents in House race revive old rivalry
By ALEX LEARY
Incumbent Tom Anderson and Kevin Jensen will square off again in the Nov. 2 election for the District 45 seat.
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October 17, 2004
Hopeful vows to reply to residents
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Jack Mariano criticizes his opponent, District 5 Commissioner Peter Altman, for not being responsive enough to constituents. But Altman says he returns their calls each day.
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House race is Florida power struggle
By MELIA BOWIE
Whoever wins District 46 will affect the entire Legislature, currently dominated by Republicans.
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October 16, 2004
Sheriff hopeful, incumbent clash
By STEVE THOMPSON
Darlene Greene criticizes Bob White's leadership in a debate, while he praises his work and that of his deputies.
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October 15, 2004
Elections supervisor candidates mix it up
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
The two opponents trade accusations of ignorance and lacking a sense of humor.
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October 13, 2004
School Board candidates differ sharply
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
While the District 2 incumbent and challenger found few areas of agreement, the superintendent hopefuls often agreed in their debate.
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October 12, 2004
Retired grocery manager to meet veteran opponent
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
NEW PORT RICHEY - So far, the race for the District 3 County Commission seat has been pretty low-key. Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, a Republican seeking her sixth term, says she hasn't even met her Democratic opponent, Keith Waldron.
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Workers on task to assure full vote
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
The supervisor of elections says his employees have been working long hours to assure all voters can participate Nov. 2.
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Touch screen tests attract media gaggle
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
The nation begins to focus on Florida's voting system reforms as the 2004 presidential election draws nearer.
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October 11, 2004
Independent candidate strives to be heard
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
Patrick Bergy is running against stiff competition, Pasco Elections Supervisor and media darling Kurt Browning.
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Veteran commissioner faces off against retired grocery manager
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
The two opponents will meet and make their pitch for the District 3 County Commission seat.
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October 9, 2004
Landowner fields his own candidate
By MICHELE MILLER
Weed killer in hand, Andrew Mathis creates a 30-foot sign in some grass to show his backing of John Kerry.
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October 4, 2004
Republicans greet campaigning Giuliani
By MOLLY MOORHEAD
New York's popular former mayor stopped at Pasco-Hernando Community College to support President Bush.
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September 22, 2004
Challenger: Money issues resolved
By STEPHEN HEGARTY
Patrick Bergy says his past problems do not affect his quest to be Pasco's next elections supervisor.
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September 21, 2004
Program gives busy workers voting help
By CHASE SQUIRES
The supervisor of elections introduces a statewide effort to allow signups or updates for registrations at work.
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September 2, 2004
Fiorentino tries to reach out to staff
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
After defeating Chuck Rushe, she attempts to assure people who campaigned to make him school superintendent.
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September 1, 2004
School Board: Political newcomer Starkey 'just ecstatic' with victory
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Activist Kathryn Starkey is a proponent of smaller, more community-centered schools.
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School Board: Whaley to face runoff vote against undetermined foe
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
The incumbent on the School Board failed to get the majority of the vote and will run against the second-highest vote-getter.
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County Judge: Incumbent Roberts earns a six-year term
By ALEX LEARY
Appointed in 2002, the county's first black judge tallies more than twice as many votes as her lesser-known opponent.
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Fla. House District 46: GOP voters pick teacher over lawyer
By MELIA BOWIE
Charter school founder John Legg will face Democrat Dee Thomas in the general election.
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School Superintendent: Fiorentino wins close one
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
State Rep. Heather Fiorentino beats Chuck Rushe, chief financial officer for the school district.
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County Commission District 3: Voters give incumbent Hildebrand GOP lead
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
The commissioner's experience and funding gave her the advantage against Scott Factor and David Abremski.
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