County political chief seats in play on both sides of bay

Two candidates problem for Hillsborough GOP chair

No less than two candidates are campaigning to exchange embattled Hillsborough County Republican Occasion Chairman Jim Waurishuk.

In the meantime, each the Pinellas Republican and Democratic events will elect new chairpersons in December, however Hillsborough Democratic insiders say they see no indicators of a problem to celebration chief Ione Townsend.

Pinellas Republican Occasion vice chairman Adam Ross, who’s govt director within the workplace of sixth Circuit State Lawyer Bruce Bartlett, is working to exchange the outgoing chairman, Todd Jennings.

Ross, a veteran prosecutor, has served eight years within the Pinellas-Pasco sixth circuit.

Cathi Chamberlain has introduced her candidacy, and Ross stated one other celebration activist, Michael Surette, is working. Neither could possibly be reached for remark.

Ross stated Jennings is stepping down after serving 4 years within the submit, a convention for Pinellas GOP chairs.

Lucinda Johnston, Pinellas Democratic chairwoman, stated she is stepping down “to enter the grandparent enterprise.” She stated she’s not conscious of any candidates for the workplace and expects nominations from the ground within the election.

Candidates for Hillsborough GOP chair embrace Bob Emerson of Apollo Seaside, a veteran of a couple of decade of exercise within the native GOP, and Dana Galen, a who has held two celebration committee chairmanships.

Waurishuk didn’t reply to inquiries as as to if he’ll search re-election, however each challengers stated they intend to run regardless.

Emerson is president of the South Shore Republican membership and former celebration treasurer; Galen, of Wimauma, is chair of the celebration’s messaging and minority outreach committees.

Waurishuk has been in battle with state celebration Chairman Joe Gruters over admission of scores of recent precinct representatives to the native celebration. It’s anticipated most of the new members would vote towards reelecting Waurishuk.

Tampa Metropolis Council races have query marks

As candidates line up for the March 7 Tampa Metropolis Council elections, some robust contests are looming, together with some large query marks.

Possibly the largest is the West Tampa-based District 6, the place Hoyt Prindle III has filed to run with backing from Democratic County Commissioner Pat Kemp.

That’s the identical district the place veteran council member Charlie Miranda, now term-limited in a citywide seat, could be anticipated to run if he chooses to hunt one other time period, his ninth since 1974.

As is his long-standing observe, Miranda received’t disclose his political plans till after the vacations.

Complicating the image is former council member and mayoral candidate Mike Suarez, who lives in District 6 and doesn’t rule out in search of to return to the Council. He stated he doesn’t but know what seat he would run for if he ran; his relationship with Miranda has been contentious up to now however is now “cordial,” Suarez stated.

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In the meantime, yet one more candidate, Chase Harrison, has entered the crowded discipline difficult incumbent Joseph Citro within the citywide District 1 seat. Already working are Alan Clendenin and Sonja Brookins, who filed in April however hasn’t but raised any marketing campaign cash.

In New Tampa-based District 7, incumbent Luis Viera has raised by far essentially the most cash of any candidate, $48,525, since submitting Aug. 5, and stays unopposed.

Former state Sen. Janet Cruz, who stunned political insiders instantly after dropping her Senate seat Nov. 8 by asserting she’ll problem incumbent Lynn Hurtak within the citywide District 3 seat, has introduced an endorsement from the influential Tampa Police Benevolent Affiliation.

No candidate has filed in South Tampa-based District 4, regardless of hypothesis that allies of Mayor Jane Castor would encourage a challenger to incumbent Invoice Carlson, a vociferous Castor critic. Carlson says he intends to run however is “in no hurry to file.”

In the meantime, Castor hasn’t but filed for reelection, however associates say she is going to quickly. She advised the Tampa Bay Occasions in January that she was working.

Hillsborough NAACP election raises turmoil

Yvette Lewis, a persistent critic of Mayor Jane Castor, has been reelected president of the Hillsborough County NAACP after an election that triggered controversy and allegations of vote suppression.

Lewis was opposed by Tarance D. Le’Noir, one in every of a gaggle of dissident candidates that features long-time civic and Republican political activist Joe Robinson.

Robinson sought to run for 2nd vice chairman however was suspended from membership, together with East Tampa political activist Michelle Patty. Each have been sharply important of the chapter’s management; nationwide NAACP leaders suspended them for the criticism, which the group thought-about “inimical to one of the best pursuits of … the affiliation.”

Based on numerous accounts, police had been known as the evening of the election Nov. 15 to come back to the positioning the place the net election was being originated after Robinson and others sought, however had been denied, entry into the constructing.

Lewis stated “from my understanding,” the opposition to her was inspired by allies of Castor — “I don’t know for positive and I don’t have any proof,” she added.

“That’s false,” replied Castor spokesman Adam Smith. “Jane Castor was not concerned in an NAACP election.”

However Robinson stated scores or a whole lot of members had been unable to vote due to flawed procedures for offering ballots for the election, and stated the scenario is linked to issues with management of the nationwide NAACP.

“The mayor had nothing to do with it,” he stated, accusing Lewis’s administration of assorted sorts of misconduct.

Lewis received 190 to 68, and Daryl Hych and Karl Davis received for 1st and 2nd vice chairman, unopposed.

Hart elected Black Caucus chair

State Rep. Dianne Hart, D-Tampa, has been elected 2022-24 chair of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, giving the town two Black girls in legislative management positions.

Rep. Fentrice Driskell was beforehand chosen Home minority chief.

The Black Caucus will encompass 29 Black senators and Home members, principally Democrats.

Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, whose district contains elements of Tampa, might be vice-chair.