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Novice Gives Blair Run For Money

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: October 19, 2008

Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair should have all the advantages in his race against Kevin Beckner for the countywide District 6 commission seat.

Blair is an anti-tax, pro-development conservative in a Republican-leaning county. As a first-term commissioner, he enjoys the advantages that come with incumbency, including name recognition.

Yet Beckner, a certified financial planner and political novice, is proving a formidable opponent. During the latest campaign finance reporting period, Beckner raised nearly four times as much money as Blair, though he still lags in overall donations.
Beckner has waged an aggressive campaign, accusing the former professional wrestler of caring more about his own interests than those of his constituents.

"One of the biggest things I have with my opponent is his philosophy of government," Beckner said. "He has been so focused on his own self-interest and he's supported by self-interest groups."
Beckner accused Blair of spending county money on his own "personal lake." The accusation is based on Blair's efforts last year to have the county clean up Noreast Lake, where he has a waterfront home.

Blair doesn't deny interacting with county employees about the lake but said it received no preferential treatment in county funding. He cited an Aug. 28 e-mail from Public Works Director Bob Gordon saying $21,404 was spent on maintenance of eight lakes, including Noreast.

"It got twisted that it was something for my personal benefit, which is far from the truth," Blair said.

Blair said he is running on his record of cutting taxes and streamlining government. In July 2006, he pushed for a 1 mill cut in the property tax rate, but the commission opted for a reduction about a third of that - still the largest tax cut in county history. One mill equals $100 in taxes per $100,000 in taxable value.

Blair also pushed for an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for low-income seniors. The commission reduced the exemption to $15,000.

"Nobody's fought harder for families and the people of Hillsborough County than I have," Blair said.
Beckner said the commission has not pushed hard enough for affordable housing and mass transit.

"It's important we talk to neighboring counties about transportation because it's too cost-prohibitive to do it ourselves," Beckner said.

Campaign finance reports show Blair raised $185,202 to Beckner's $131,190 through Sept. 19. Beckner had a broader base of support, however, with 1,168 contributions compared with 700 for Blair. Individual contributors can give once a quarter.

Blair got more large contributions, with 275 of his supporters giving the legal limit of $500, compared with 78 contributors who gave $500 to Beckner.

KEVIN BECKNER
AGE: 37

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice

FAMILY: In a committed relationship

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Ex-police officer; financial planner

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Leadership Tampa Bay president, 2007

WEB SITE: www.KevinBeckner .com
BRIAN BLAIR
AGE: 51

EDUCATION: Attended Saint Leo University and the University of Louisville

FAMILY: Married, two children

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Former professional wrestler; health club owner

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: One term as Hillsborough County commissioner; ran for county

commission in 2000

WEB SITE: www.brianblair .com

Researcher Stephanie Pincus contributed to this report.

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