Choices to strengthen legislative delegation

The Tampa area has a relatively weak legislative delegation, it is widely agreed. Voters in the Aug. 24 primary obviously want to choose candidates who best represent their own views, but they should also consider who could work well with fellow lawmakers to give this region a stronger, more unified voice in Tallahassee.

That has been a major consideration in the Tribune's endorsements for Legislature this year.

District 47

Republicans in District 47 will choose one of four conservative candidates as the party's nominee to replace Rep. Kevin Ambler, who is running for the state Senate.

The district includes Northwest Hillsborough, Carrollwood and a section of Tampa west of Florida Avenue and south to Hillsborough Avenue.

All four candidates are conservative and comfortable in the Republican Party. All promise to lower taxes, create jobs, improve education and get government out of the way of a potential economic recovery. The party's nominee will face Democrat Michael Steinberg in November.

Tom Aderhold brings useful civic experience as president of the Keystone Civic Association. Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair boasts of perfect attendance on that board. Lawyer James Grant brings eloquent enthusiasm and the potential for leadership reminiscent of another young Republican politician, Adam Putnam. Retired Verizon lobbyist Irene Guy is an expert on utility issues.

Aderhold has been active on several citizens' boards dealing with transportation. He wants to see stronger evidence of high ridership before investing state money in rail transit.

Blair describes himself as a "proven conservative" because of his anti-tax record on the county commission. He has a passion for public service but was not considered a leader on the commission.

Guy has been active in the community and promises to help government work more like a business. She is thoughtful, competent and has been active in the community. Guy appears somewhat sketchy on other key issues, such as transit and growth management.

The most impressive candidate is James Grant. Although he will be only 28 on Election Day, Grant has wasted no time learning about state issues. No doubt his father, former legislator John Grant, has been a mentor.

The younger Grant promises he will "break from party to do what I believe is right."

On the controversial issue of Senate Bill 6, which Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed, James Grant says he agrees with the concept of merit pay but thinks the bill gave too much weight to test scores.

An outdoorsman with the endorsement of the NRA, Grant has firm ideas about how to deal with many of the problems facing Florida, including the need to build an economy with less dependence on population growth. But he is one of the few candidates to emphasize flexibility, saying, "I'm going to listen."

Grant advocates a waiting period before passing a state budget, to give the public a chance to see it and make comments.

Because he would immediately strengthen the Tampa area delegation while providing solid representation for the district, the Tribune recommends James Grant in District 47.

District 55

The primary will essentially decide the representative for the largely minority district that winds through most of south St. Petersburg as well as portions of Manatee and Sarasota counties. It includes a small portion of Hillsborough.

Since a write-in candidate has signed up for the fall, Republicans will not be able to vote in this primary.

Rep. Darryl Rouson is running for a second term. He has worked well with both sides of aisle. The attorney, who readily admits being a former addict, is proud of fighting for a measure curtailing the sales of crack pipes. He opposed near-shore drilling. The former president of the St. Petersburg NAACP can be histrionic but says, "I want to be effective, and that means collaborating."

He is opposed by April Danielle Sheffield, an engaging social worker who faults Rouson for not being more responsive to his district. She vows to meet regularly with constituents and work to bring jobs and services to her districts.

The intelligent and articulate Sheffield would make an effective legislator, but Rouson has learned quickly how to get things done in Tallahassee and is well positioned to further help his district.

In House District 55, the Tribune backs Darryl Rouson.

District 56

Incumbent Rachel Burgin faces dentist Marc Johnson in House District 56, which extends from Davis Islands east to FishHawk and includes Riverview and much of Brandon.

Burgin, 28, slipped into office two years ago when Rep. Trey Traviesa abruptly pulled out of the race. Local Republican leaders selected Burgin, a former Traviesa aide, to replace him on the ballot.

The Democrats had not fielded a viable candidate, and Burgin won easily. This year the GOP primary winner will face Democrat David Chalela.

Burgin struggled early on but seemed more at ease last session.

She has worked on some notable issues, including bringing the Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute under the direction of the University of South Florida and trying to toughen massage parlor regulations to guard against prostitution.

Still, Burgin is hardly a commanding Tallahassee presence, and Marc Johnson offers an appealing alternative.

The 41-year-old father of two has a dental practice in Lithia and also is a major in the Army Reserve who has served in Iraq.

He has solid ideas for curbing fraudulent billing in Medicaid and ensuring patients actually received the care for which the state has been billed.

He is infuriated by government waste and the practice of lawmakers funding major projects in their districts without demonstrating a need.

Johnson believes offshore drilling is necessary, but understands near-shore drilling poses too great a risk for the state's beaches and its tourism industry.

Burgin, who voted for beach-front drilling last year, doesn't think it should be ruled out.

A USF graduate, Johnson believes the university's medical center should become a pillar of Central Florida's economy.

Give Burgin credit for growing in office, but Johnson's life and business experiences give him deeper insights into issues. In the Republican primary for House District 56, the Tribune endorses Marc Johnson.

District 57

Voters will select a new lawmaker to replace Republican Faye Culp in District 57, which includes Town 'n' Country, Westchase and the Tampa peninsula.

Three lawyers are in the race for the Republican nomination. C. Todd Marks owns a title company and promises spending cuts across the board. Dana Young, a sixth generation Florida resident, specializes in environmental and regulatory issues. Dan Molloy has been a thoughtful representative of the building and development industry.

In November, the Republican nominee will face Democrat Stacy Frank and tea party nominee Matthew Russell.

Marks describes himself as a fresh face who will take a fresh look at state issues, but he is not brimming with original ideas. He is opposed to rail and favors an Arizona-style law on immigration. He would give tax breaks to businesses that create jobs.

Young wants to manage growth with less red tape and force government to live within its means. It is less clear exactly how she would do this.

Young generally favors a business-friendly environment, wants to cut fraud and waste and says the community cannot afford to build light rail right now.

The strongest, most detail-oriented candidate in the field is Molloy. He has represented developers, but also pushed the industry to accept fairer impact fees to help pay for needed local schools. The stance was "not popular, but necessary," he says.

Although candidates in every race are promising to create jobs, the Legislature cannot magically revive construction as a major economic driver.

Molloy points out that in today's economy, regulations are not stifling growth. He favors reasonable growth rules and has hands-on experience to know what works and what doesn't.

With births in his district exceeding deaths, he correctly says that "we have to provide places for our children to live."

Adequate funding for universities, Molloy argues, is an essential part of developing a high-tech economy and better jobs.

Actively involved in the local transportation debate, Molloy researched the issue and changed from a transit skeptic to a transit supporter.

His agenda is to reduce state spending by, among other things, cutting the number of state employees. He wants to explore ways to collect sales taxes owed on remote sales because the current system is "tremendously unfair to local merchants."

Molloy is well-informed and persuasive. In House District 57, the Tribune supports Dan Molloy.

Tomorrow: Our endorsements for state House Districts 60 ,61 and 67.

Candidates not endorsed by the Tampa Tribune are invited by the editorial board to write rebuttals. Rebuttals should be limited to 200 words.

E-mail all replies to tribletters@tampatrib.com or write to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 191, Tampa, 33601-0191.