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Bay Area's State Lawmakers Returned To Office

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2008

TAMPA - Voters weren't that eager for change when it came to casting ballots for state legislators.

Incumbents appeared to have swept the board based on early, unofficial returns.

There may be one new face in the local legislative delegation. Rachel Burgin seemed on her way to replace her former boss for the state House District 56 post.

In her first political campaign, Burgin lead Democratic challenger Lewis LaRicchia for the seat surprisingly abandoned by Anthony "Trey" Traviesa in August for family and financial reasons.

The trend to stay with those in office allowed the Republican Party to keep its stronghold on the state Legislature that it secured in the 1990s.

It appeared Republicans would keep the 26 state Senate seats they held going into Tuesday's election. Democrats appeared to retain their 14 districts. Only 15 of the senate's 40 posts were contested.

The split in the state House also appeared to remain constant with Democrats holding on to their 43 seats and Republican retaining their 77. Voters were to decided 76 of the house's 120 seats

Burgin 26, Traviesa's legislative assistant, was leading with about 60 percent of the vote in the district from includes Davis Islands, Brandon, Riverview and the FishHawk Ranch community in Lithia.

Burgin and incumbent lawmakers broke on top when the first results trickled in and held on to leads throughout the night.

Republican Kevin Ambler cruised to his fourth term in District 47, which covers most of northwestern Hillsborough County. The 47-year-old easily defeated Ian Grossman, a 20-year-old write-in candidate that Ambler encouraged to run, garnering about 95 percent of the vote.

Ron Reagan, R-Sarasota also was on his way to a fourth term in District 67, leading Democratic challenger Richard Jackson. Reagan on a platform of tightening the state's budget; wiser spending of education dollars; and emphasizing the need for alternative forms of transportation

Earning a third term was Republican John Legg in District 46. Legg defeated political neophyte Ron Rice, a Clearwater Democrat, and John Ubele, a white separatist who unsuccessfully ran in 2006 for the Pasco County Mosquito Control Board.

In District 44, Republican Robert Schenk seemed to have earned his second term by defeating Spring Hill lawyer Jason Melton, a Democrat whose name wasn't on the ballot, and Green Party candidate Sarah Roman. Melton joined the race Sept. 25 after Joe Puglia dropped out. Puglia's name remained on the ballot.

Faye Culp, 68, appeared to secure a fourth term in District 57, leading first-time Democratic candidate Yvonne Yolie Capin. The district includes South Tampa, Town 'N Country and portions of Westchase.

Culp ran on her experience as a long-time legislator and her reputation for delivering constituent services. This will be her last consecutive term due to term limits.

In state Senate District 11, Republican incumbent state Sen. Mike Fasano, 50, retained the seat he has held since 2002. The victory gives Fasano, who lives in New Port Richey, another term representing the district that hugs the coast between northern Pinellas and Citrus counties.

Fasano defeated Democrat Fred Taylor, 60, of New Port Richey, a businessman and political newcomer who previously led the national Military Order of the Purple Heart.

In District 17, Republican state Sen. J.D. Alexander easily defeated Democrat Scott K. Thompson for a final four-year term. Alexander said he ran for another term mainly to bring better jobs and improve education in the district, which includes parts of Polk, Hardee, Desoto, Highlands, St. Lucie, Glades and Okeechobee counties.

Ed Homan appeared to winning a fourth tem representing state house District 60 leading Democratic challenger Edward "E.J." Ford. Homan, a Temple Terrace physician, will again represent Temple Terrace, New Tampa, Lutz, Thonotosassa and Mango.

Darryl Rouson kept the state House District 55 seat by out-polling write-in candidate CalvesterBenjamin-Anderson. Rouson won the seat in a special election in the spring for the district that stretches from south St. Petersburg into parts of Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

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