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Blair Concedes, Lashes Out At Foe

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: November 14, 2008

TAMPA - Brian Blair said he wanted his goodbye news conference to be an "upbeat" affair, but the former professional wrestler couldn't leave the ring without taking a few shots at the opponent who took his Hillsborough County Commission seat in last week's election.

After congratulating Commissioner-elect Kevin Beckner, Blair accused Beckner's campaign of lying about his record and hinted he might take legal action. When asked whether he wasn't being a poor sport, Blair said he was trying to defend the integrity of the electoral process.

"Where is the line?" he asked. "We stick ourselves out there, but how can you tell factual lies with no basis?"

To illustrate his point, Blair made up a falsehood about Beckner that included a reference to Beckner's homosexuality, something Blair avoided discussing during the campaign.

"Can I say his boyfriend gave him AIDS?" Blair said. "Of course that's not true. I would never say that."

Beckner's campaign accused Blair of spending $1 million in taxpayer money cleaning up a lake where he has a waterfront home. Blair said the total was several hundred thousand dollars and that it was used to clean a chain of lakes that included the lake near his home.
Beckner also sent mailers accusing Blair of trying to raise his commission salary. Blair had spoken against commissioners voluntarily reducing their car allowance, not their pay, which is set by the state.

Blair did not apologize for his controversial stands, including opposing a day of silence in public schools for gay, lesbian and transgender children who had been bullied and abused.

"I want everybody to realize being a public servant is not an easy job," he said. "I put my heart and soul into it. ... I didn't want to be a status quo politician."
Beckner will be sworn in during a ceremony Tuesday.

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