Swearing In Of Gay Commissioner Draws Crowd In Tampa

It wasn't exactly Obama at Grant Park, but observers agreed Tuesday's swearing in of Kevin Beckner as Hillsborough County's first openly gay county commissioner was historic and precedent-setting.

"It's a new day," said county circuit court Clerk Pat Frank, a former commissioner who attended the morning ceremony with hundreds of others.

"It's people opening their minds," Frank said. "They're welcoming change, so it is Obama-like."

Beckner, 37, took the oath of office alongside his partner, Gil Sainz, a sergeant and 23-year veteran of the county sheriff's office. Circuit Judge Caroline Tesche administered the oath to Beckner.

Also taking the oath were Commissioners Ken Hagan and Al Higginbotham, who were re-elected Nov. 4. It was Hagan's third investiture ceremony; Higginbotham's second.

Observers said it was the largest crowd they'd ever seen for a commission investiture ceremony and most attributed it to the excitement over Beckner, a Democrat who defeated Republican incumbent Brian Blair. The commission chamber was standing-room only, and other attendees filled seats in the County Center lobby and a television-equipped overflow room on the 26th floor.

"It's going to be standing-room only in all those places," said Lori Hudson, the county's director of communications.

After the ceremony, each of the seven commissioners gave a short speech. Beckner spent most of his time thanking campaign supporters, including 96-year-old Gertrude Johanson, who collected 400 petition signatures to help get Beckner on the ballot.

"I think his mission was to bring us all together," Johanson said, "and his courage and determination made this a very special election."

Beckner echoed remarks made by Commissioner Rose Ferlita, urging commissioners to "set aside our political partisanship."

"It's a sincere privilege to sit next to you all and I look forward to working with each and every one of you," he said.