NEW PORT RICHEY -- In the Pasco County sheriff's race, political newcomer Bob White handily won the runoff Tuesday for the Republican nomination, taking slightly more than 60 percent of the vote.

White, 50, said he was humbled by the victory and vowed to get back on the campaign trail today in hopes of beating incumbent Sheriff Lee Cannon, a Democrat, in the Nov. 7 general election.

"It's an awesome responsibility to be in a position to affect the quality of life in Pasco County," White said. "Our whole mission is to protect and serve people. It's not about being king, it's about being a servant."

White's opponent, Gil Thivener, got about 39 percent of the vote.

"It's just wasn't meant to be," said the 64-year-old Thivener, who made unsuccessful bids for sheriff in 1984 and 1996. "I'm disappointed that we didn't do better."

Hillsborough incumbent holds off challenger

TAMPA -- In his first term, Hillsborough County Commissioner Tom Scott faced a federal investigation into allegations of corruption, criticism for voting to privatize Tampa General Hospital, and a challenge within his party from state Sen. James Hargrett Jr.

Democrats on Tuesday chose him as their District 3 candidate anyway. He will now face Libertarian candidate Joe Redner in the November general election.

Scott, the pastor of the 34th Street Church of God, won the runoff by 590 votes, getting 53 percent to Hargrett's 47 percent. He managed to come back against Hargrett, an 18-year state legislator who had beaten him in the three-person primary in September by 700 votes.

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