TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Democrats Trim GOP Win Margin

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2008

Strong turnout by Pasco County Democratic voters in Tuesday's election resulted in slimmer-than-expected victories for incumbent county commissioners Ann Hildebrand and Jack Mariano and for two-term Sheriff Bob White. Democratic turnout was strongest along the U.S. 19 corridor and in the county's eastern fringes. Central and eastern Pasco remained Republican strongholds, in this case helping to elect two commissioners who represent coastal districts.

Sheriff

Third-party candidate Bobby Kinzy proved to be the spoiler in the race between White, a Republican seeking a third term, and Democrat Kim Bogart. Kinzy garnered enough votes - as much as 7 percent of the total in one west Pasco precinct - to deny White and Bogart outright majorities in nearly one-third of the county's 154 precincts.

County Commission District 3

Hildebrand, a Republican, won what she has said will be her final term by the slimmest margin in memory as her opponent, Terri Conroy, benefited from Democratic turnout along U.S. 19 and in pockets in eastern Pasco. More than 20,000 people opted not to vote in the commission race, leading Conroy to speculate this week that she might have won had more of those voters cast ballots.

County Commission District 5

Like Hildebrand, Mariano benefited from strong Republican leanings in central and east Pasco to win his second term on the commission. Mariano carried precincts in nearly every precinct in his northwest Pasco district, including many where Conroy prevailed in the District 3 race. Mariano's opponent, former New Port Richey City Councilwoman Ginny Miller, carried Democratic precincts in New Port Richey, Port Richey and Holiday but failed to make inroads in the northwest.

Kevin Wiatrowski

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT