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Beckner Defeating Blair For Hillsborough Commission Seat

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2008

Updated: 11/05/2008 02:27 am

TAMPA - Kevin Beckner, a 37-year-old political newcomer who campaigned for controlled growth and against divisive politics, appeared headed for an upset victory Tuesday over incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair.

It would be an impressive victory for a novice Democrat in a Republican-leaning county. Republicans held on in two other county commission seats Tuesday, with incumbents Ken Hagan and Al Higginbotham coasting to victories over little-known candidates.

Earlier Tuesday, Blair, 51, accused Beckner of running a dirty campaign and making false charges, such as that Blair used county money and workers to clean up the lake where he has a waterfront home.

"My opponent chose to run a campaign of deceit, deception and desertion of the truth," Blair said. "I've never said one bad thing about him."

Beckner kicked off his campaign in January 2007 as a virtual unknown. But he effectively used the Internet during his campaign to blunt Blair's advantage in campaign donations while mobilizing a group of young volunteers into an efficient campaign organization.

Blair campaigned on a platform of cutting taxes and protecting the public's pocketbook. Two years ago, he pushed for cutting property taxes by $1 per $1,000 in property value. The commission opted for a reduction of about a third of that, still the largest tax cut in county history.

But the former pro wrestler and gym owner was often a polarizing force on the commission. In his first two years on the board, he allied himself with former commission lightning rod Ronda Storms, aggressively battling over social issues such as gay pride and bikini bars. Last year, he tried to dismantle county wetlands protections.

Beckner would be the first openly gay county commissioner. "I think people were longing for a change in leadership and longing for a voice," he said.

Reporters Rich Shopes and Russell Ray contributed to this report.

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