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District 59 Contenders Well-Known

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By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 2, 2008

TAMPA - The Democratic candidates for state House of Representatives District 59 have been down this election road before.

Lawyer Warren Hope Dawson and retired educator Betty Reed faced off in 2006 along with a third Democrat. Reed narrowly won the primary and went on to defeat Republican Willis "K.C." Bowick.

But this time, the winner of the Aug. 26 primary also takes the House prize. There are no Republican challengers in the November general election and write-in candidate Geraldine Emmons withdrew within a week of qualifying.

The primary went from a closed Democratic contest to one open to all registered voters in the district because Emmons pulled out.

Reed is running on her legislative record and her work for constituents. Dawson is touting his leadership skills and challenging Reed's lawmaking abilities.

They clashed most recently over claims in one of Reed's fliers that she was the most productive legislative freshman and Hillsborough County's elected official of the year.

"I can't believe you'd put it out there and no one would read it or check it," Dawson said. "That's not leading, that's misleading."

Reed acknowledged the flier was poorly worded and said the misstatements were due to a staffer simplifying information from press clippings. She said campaign literature is being rewritten.

Reed Touts Her Accomplishments

Reed is proud of her accomplishments in the House.

With state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, she sponsored a $1 million study of black infant mortality rates. She also helped secure about $600,000 for the Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office, a drug treatment agency that is expanding its East Tampa campus to offer more services.

She said she and her staff have assisted constituents with problems ranging from food stamps to getting electricity reconnected.

"I feel proud we have served over 500 families in one way or another," Reed said.

District 59 covers the city's urban core in East and West Tampa but stretches south into the county's suburbs. It includes pockets of blight and poverty as well as historical and revitalized neighborhoods.

Reed sees herself in some ways as caregiver for the district, a role she took on as a teenager with her family when her mother died.

"I enjoy being able to help someone else," said Reed, who hopes to focus on the economy, health and education if re-elected. "I'd like to see us come up with a stimulus package to move the economy in the right direction."

Dawson Highlights Breaking Barriers

As it did two years ago, Dawson's campaign focuses on his accomplishments as a groundbreaking lawyer who challenged racial prejudice and segregation. He was inducted last year into the National Bar Association's Hall of Fame.

Dawson has practiced law in Tampa for more than 40 years. He was the first black hired in the National Labor Review Board's Tampa regional office and was the city's first black assistant city attorney.

Dawson represented the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in the federal lawsuit that desegregated the county's schools, and he pushed Gasparilla parade organizers to integrate krewes.

"The more needy the people, the more they need a real champion," Dawson said. "I believe I offer that capability. Everything I've been involved in since high school I have been a leader."

He said much more needs to be done on property tax relief and homeowners insurance, but the most important issue is the economy. Although the housing market is a major factor, Dawson said years of "rubber-stamping" Republican-led legislation has worsened the downturn.

"I don't believe that a Democrat has to go to Tallahassee and be a nothing there and bow to the dominance of the Republicans," he said.

Dawson said Reed passed two bills in the past legislative session: one requiring fast-food restaurants to put toilet paper in bathrooms, and another to allow off-duty law enforcement officers to take radio equipment home in their personal vehicles.

"I suggest to you that would not be high on a needs list of District 59 people," Dawson said.

Reed counters that the restaurant bill, sponsored in the Senate by Republican Victor Crist, was a health issue.

Police with radio equipment at hand can save lives, she said.

Sharp divisions also are emerging over campaign finances.

Reed has nearly $35,000 in contributions. Dawson largely is self-financing his campaign with a $25,000 loan; his donations to date total $600 from three individuals.

Dawson criticizes Reed for taking money from political action committees and out-of-state sources.

Her contributors include the New York-based PAC for Blue Ridge Capital and New Jersey investor Janet Simon. Other contributions come from the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association and PACs for Florida dentists and educators, as well as from East Tampa businessman Marvin Knight and local radio host Jetie Wilds.

"It's big corporations and others who have an interest in having you vote their way," Dawson said.

Reed said Dawson didn't complain in 2006 when he got campaign money from the same or similar sources.

"I didn't owe anybody anything last time except my constituents," she said. "I still don't owe anyone but my constituents. You're still guided by principles regardless of how a campaign is funded."

WARREN HOPE DAWSON

Age: 68

Education: Bachelor's degree from Florida A&M University; law degree from Howard University

Family: Married; one child

Professional experience: Lawyer; former Tampa assistant city attorney

Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for state House and Senate

Campaign Web site: www. votewarrenhopedawson.com

BETTY REED

Age: 67

Education: Bachelor's degree from National-Louis University

Family: Married; five children

Professional experience: Retired as career services director for Remington College

Political experience: Elected to state House in 2006; ran unsuccessfully for Hillsborough County Commission in 1996 and 2000

Campaign Web site: www. votebettyreed.com

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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