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Commissioners Blair, Hagan Win Easily

By MIKE SALINERO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

Updated: 08/27/2008 12:23 am

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TAMPA - Republican incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioners Ken Hagan and Brian Blair ran away with their primary races, and newcomer Kevin Beckner prevailed over two other Democrats to face Blair in November.

Incumbent Property Appraiser Rob Turner also won, easily beating James Robert "Rob" Townsend in the Republican primary. Turner will face Democrat Ken Ayers in the November general election.

Blair, a first term commissioner and former professional wrestler, easily outdistanced auto sales manager Don Kruse in the countywide District 6 seat.

"I think the voters are educated and they know who will serve them best," Blair, 51, said. "I hope they continue to place their trust in me because my heart is with them."

The Democratic race for the countywide District 6 seat was closer. Beckner, 37, a financial planner, led Denise Layne, a Lutz environmental activist, followed by Tampa businessman and strip club owner Joe Redner.

Beckner said he will reach across party lines to defeat Blair, who angered environmental groups last year by trying to dismantle the county's environmental protection agency. Beckner said he hopes to get Layne and Redner's endorsement for the general election.

"Again we're reaching out to everybody," Beckner said. "This isn't about any certain individual. This is about reconnecting the County Commission with the people of Hillsborough County."

Blair had an overwhelming financial advantage in the primary, raising more than $180,000 compared with about $3,000 raised by Kruse, who also loaned his campaign $13,850. Blair only spent about $56,600 in the primary, leaving $122,400 in his war chest for November.

Beckner, who announced his candidacy in January 2007, also enjoyed a healthy advantage in campaign money, raising $111,000 compared with $9,120 raised by Layne. Redner raised no money but loaned his campaign $10,000.

Beckner is openly gay. Blair, who voted against having the county "acknowledge" or "promote" gay pride events, said he will not use the issue in the campaign.

Commission Chairman Hagan trounced Keystone-Odessa civic leader Tom Aderhold in District 2, which covers most of northern Hillsborough County and includes Westchase, Citrus Park, New Tampa, Temple Terrace and Thonotosassa.

The victory effectively gives Hagan another term because no Democrats qualified for the seat.

Hagan, 40, won his first election to a two-year term in 2002. He was re-elected to a four-year term in 2004.

The Carrollwood resident became chairman last year. He ran a low-key campaign, focusing on his efforts to bring about regional transportation solutions and support for parks and recreation programs.

Rob Turner, 57, a former banker, defeated Townsend, 49, a Plant City landowner and an electric company employee.

Turner's office denied Townsend an agricultural exemption two years ago that would have lowered his property tax. This was Townsend's first run at a political seat.

Turner unseated longtime property appraiser Ron Alderman 12 years ago while the county office was investigated for mismanagement.

He defended himself against charges that his office set property values too high, saying he doesn't set the tax rate.

Turner said the current crisis is partly because of taxing authorities not acting fast enough to lower the millage rate when property values were soaring in the late 1990s.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at msalinero@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-8303.

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