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Developer Hosting Fundraiser For Hillsborough's Blair

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By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2008

Updated: 10/10/2008 10:58 am

TAMPA - Trailing his opponent in the latest campaign contribution reports, Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair is looking to local developer heavyweights to pump up his re-election coffers at an Oct. 23 fundraiser.

Developer Bing Kearney is hosting the event with other leading members of the building and real estate industry, including Ed Giunta, Lance Ponton and Don Phillips.

Other headliners at the event include liquor distributor Gregg Lipp, Brandon lawyer Clif Curry and former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, nominally a Democrat who usually supports Republican candidates.

Blair, fighting to retain his countywide District 6 seat, is being challenged by Kevin Beckner, a financial planner. Beckner has run an aggressive campaign and raised $32,050 during the two latest reporting periods, compared with $13,210 by Blair.

Blair still leads the overall money race with $192,637 raised since July 2007, compared with $143,345 for Beckner. Blair has spent only $82,604 compared with $113,590 by Beckner in the latest reports to the county Supervisor of Elections Office.

Blair was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Beckner said the fundraiser was evidence Blair is in the pocket of special interest groups.

"They're very concerned about losing their power and influence in county government should Brian lose the election," Beckner said.

It's not surprising that Blair is being feted at a fundraising event held at Kearney's construction company. The first-term commissioner took the lead last year in trying to end county wetlands protections, which developers had complained were too restrictive and arbitrary. A majority of commissioners voted with Blair to abolish the county wetlands protection division but reversed the action months later in the face of a public backlash. Blair has often voiced his support for the development community because it creates jobs.

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

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