The Dave factor is dividing 2 old foes

By ALICIA CALDWELL

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 1, 2000

Democrats complain about the "Mayor Card." Republicans refer to "Fischer Fatigue."

Call it what you will, but chances are good that voters in state House District 52 are going to hear a lot during the next four months about one politician they won't be able to vote for: St. Petersburg Mayor Dave Fischer.

Frank Farkas, the Republican incumbent, and Margo Fischer, the Democrat who held the seat previously, need something to set themselves apart.

Oh, they'll talk some about issues: emissions testing, education and maybe health care. But you really want to stoke their fires? Ask them about the validity of the Dave factor.

Margo Fischer is downright indignant when you ask her whether her husband's performance as mayor has anything to do with what kind of legislator she would be. She doesn't appreciate Farkas' habit of calling her "the mayor's wife" in campaign literature.

"I guess if you need THAT to get the edge, you don't have a whole lot going on," she said.

Farkas is unapologetic.

"Is it fair that she's getting campaign contributions on his name? Are they giving to Margo or are they giving to Dave?"

The race is remarkable for other reasons: Barring any last-minute entries, it will be the third time that these two face each other for the seat. She won in 1996, but he booted her out of office in 1998.

Another notable element is the similarity of their stations in life.

Both live on upscale Snell Isle. Both play country club sports. Him, golf. Her, tennis. Both are transplanted Midwesterners. Both went to Eckerd College and St. Petersburg Junior College. They have many of the same friends.

Neither has an advantage in the composition of the district, which includes parts of north St. Petersburg and Kenneth City. It's about evenly split among Republicans and Democrats.

So, we're back to the one big difference: She is married to arguably the most powerful politician in the city.

Say what you will about the reign of Dave, but acknowledge you must that it has been a rough ride, complete with civil disturbances, raging police chief controversies, embarrassingly inept attempts to woo professional sports teams and council meetings that, with a little makeup and a wardrobe change, could easily morph into a WWF match.

Everyone who has danced in St. Petersburg politics during the last decade has been colored by its lack of dignity. Let's face it: It has been a giant, sloppy mud wrestling extravaganza.

It is no surprise then, that Farkas says that when he's campaigning door-to-door, people almost always react negatively after he tells them that Margo Fischer is married to the mayor.

It also is no surprise that he would attempt to capitalize on this.

Is it fair? Does anyone care whether it is?

Paul Bedinghaus, head of the county's Republican Party, is demure in answering the question.

"They're a team," he says. "It's just a fact of life."

Her defeat last time out should be a clear sign that the district has had its fill of Fischers in public office, says Bedinghaus. He calls it "Fischer Fatigue."

Rep. Lois Frankel, the West Palm Beach Democrat overseeing the campaigns of House Democrats, is nothing less than insulted by the implication.

"Should we judge Frank Farkas by his wife's activities?"

And what about Mayor Dave? If you know him, you know he rarely gets riled by anything. I've seen him take the most insulting, personal comments from people and barely flinch. This issue, however, brings out Captain He-man.

He says that if Farkas is so interested in campaigning on city issues, then he ought to run for mayor. Fischer says he relishes the prospect of trouncing him.

"I owe him one," Fischer says. "If he's going to play this game, he'd better watch out."

So there you have it. While the next few months may not tell voters much about who is best able to serve in Tallahassee, perhaps we'll learn a little about the 2001 mayoral race.

It's something, anyway.

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