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Beckner Defeats Blair For County Commission Seat

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: November 6, 2008

Kevin Beckner was finally able to claim victory Thursday over incumbent County Commissioner Brian Blair.

Beckner, a Democrat, scored a convincing victory over Blair, a Republican seeking a second four-year term to the countywide seat.

Beckner led by almost 20,000 votes Wednesday but increased his lead with early voting ballots that elections workers finished counting Thursday evening. By the end of the day, Beckner's lead was about 48,000 votes, with only about 3,700 provisional ballots left to be counted today.

Beckner, 37, ran on a platform of stronger environmental protection, growth management and mass transit. He will be the commission's first openly gay candidate.

"I always believed the race would be close, but obviously, a lot of people are hungry and wanted change and that's reflected in the numbers,'' Beckner said.

Beckner said he did not expect to present any major policy initiatives right away. "We have to develop a rapport and a relationship with the other commissioners because we've got to work together to get things done.''

Blair, 51, a former professional wrestler and gym owner, governed as an anti-tax, pro-development commissioner.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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