Hildebrand will seek fifth term

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2000

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Four-term County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand announced Wednesday that she will run for re-election. It's a race that could be decided in September if no other candidate emerges.

Hildebrand, 62, faces opposition from fellow Republican Scott Factor. The candidate qualifying period ends July 21. If no Democratic or write-in candidate qualifies for the ballot, all registered voters will be eligible to vote in the September primary to determine the winner of the District 3 race.

Hildebrand, who lives in the Gulf Harbors coastal subdivision, was elected to the County Commission in 1984 and ran unopposed in 1988 and 1996. She beat a GOP primary opponent in 1992.

"I have history in Pasco County. I bring stability. I feel like I've been a moderate. With my social worker training, I've always listened and tried to figure out what's the best decision for the overall county," Hildebrand said.

Since Hildebrand joined the commission, Pasco County has modernized its road network and its central water and sewer system and built a new jail, a waste incinerator and new parks and libraries.

"I'm most proud of the good infrastructure we've put in place," she said. "I think we've done good planning, and we've put development where we've had the infrastructure."

She filed her re-election papers Wednesday morning, as per her routine of opening her campaign around Memorial Day. If re-elected, she will be the senior member of the commission in tenure as a result of the announced retirement of five-term incumbent Sylvia Young.

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