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Sen. Crist Hopes To Run For Commission In 2010

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: February 18, 2009

TAMPA - Republican state Sen. Victor Crist, who has represented northern Hillsborough County in the Legislature for nearly 17 years, says he is running to represent the same area on the county commission.

But Crist, who is seeking the District 2 seat held by Commission Chairman Ken Hagan, doesn't know yet whether he will run in 2010 or have to wait until 2012.

Hagan's term doesn't expire until 2012, but he has filed to run for the countywide seat now held by Jim Norman, who will be term-limited in 2010.

If Hagan formally resigns the District 2 seat 10 days before the start of the candidate qualifying period in 2010, a special election will be held to fill the vacancy.

But if Hagan waits to resign until after the start of qualifying, Gov. Charlie Crist will appoint someone to fill the seat and Crist will have to wait to run in 2012. Crist will have to leave the Senate in 2010 because of term-limit requirements.

"Honestly, I would want to see an election," Crist said. "I think it would rest better with the voters and the people."

Hagan could not be reached for comment.

Crist, 51, said he's had a long run of service to the people in Hagan's district, whom he represents in the Senate.

"I've brought a whole lot of resources home in those years and fought hard to defend local rule," Crist said. "I know their issues and needs probably better than any candidate, and I have a proven track record of addressing them."

Crist is chairman of the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee and president of Metropolitan Communications Inc., an advertising agency. He and his wife, Angela, live in the Tampa Palms neighborhood of Tampa.

Norman has announced he will run for the Senate district seat now held by Crist.

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

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