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Salesman Tries For County Seat

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: February 7, 2009

TAMPA - Don Kruse, twice defeated in prior runs for the Hillsborough County Commission, said he will try again in the November 2010 election, this time for Commissioner Jim Norman's countywide seat.

Norman is the longest serving commission member, having been elected as a Republican in 1992. He plans to run for the Pasco-Hillsborough state Senate seat now held by Victor Crist, R-Tampa, in next year's election.

Kruse, 49, was defeated last year in the Republican primary by then-Commissioner Brian Blair. He also ran unsuccessfully against Republican Commissioner Rose Ferlita in 2006.

As a sales manager for Bill Currie Ford and small businessman, Kruse said his financial expertise is sorely needed on a commission that had to fill an $80 million budget deficit last year and expects more big cuts this year.

"Now we've got to tighten our belt even more," Kruse said. "We've also got to concentrate on mass transit."

In addition to budgetary issues, Kruse says the county needs to control sprawl and protect the environment.

Commission Chairman Ken Hagan, a Republican, has filed to run for Norman's seat. Crist, who will be out of the Senate next year due to term limits, has also been mentioned as a candidate for Norman's seat, but has not confirmed it.

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

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