Our picks for state House and a stronger delegation

With their selections in Florida House of Representative races, voters in the region will have an opportunity to considerably strengthen the local delegation and affect state policy.

Today we offer four of our recommendations.

District 47

In northwestern Hillsborough's District 47, attorney James Grant topped a strong Republican field to be the party's nominee to replace Rep. Kevin Ambler, who can't run again for that seat because of term limits.

Grant is a personable, high-energy candidate who promises to work to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation. An avid outdoorsman, he also appreciates the value of a healthy environment.

Grant knows that the state's economy must grow in quality, with less dependence on booming population growth. He is guided by both strong principles but shows a re freshing willingness to listen.

His Democratic rival, veteran lawyer Michael Steinberg, had no primary opposition.

Steinberg, who describes himself as a fiscal conservative, offers voters a viable choice. He calls for fewer students per teacher and might well be a better policy maker than he is campaigner.

Grant is the stronger choice, with his potential to be a major influence in state politics, strengthen the local delegation, and help set the agenda for a state trying to revive its national brand. For House District 47, The Tampa Tribune supports James Grant.

District 55

Incumbent Darryl Rouson easily won the Democratic primary against social worker April Danielle Sheffield and now faces only write-in competition for the largely minority district that includes much of south St. Petersburg and parts of Manatee and Sarasota counties. It also includes a slice of Hillsborough.

Rouson, a former president of the St. Petersburg NAACP, has focused on bringing businesses to the inner city and has proved he can work effectively with both sides of the aisle.

In House District 55, The Tampa Tribune endorses Darryl Rouson.

District 56

Incumbent Rachel Burgin is seeking a second term representing a diverse area stretching from Tampa's Davis Islands east to FishHawk, including Riverview and much of Brandon.

She is challenged by Democrat David Chalela, who moved to Tampa in 2006.

Chalela, a foreclosure defense attorney, would bring the consumer's viewpoint to a Legislature often dominated by special interests. He, like Burgin, would give tax breaks to job-creating businesses, and he is strongly against off-shore drilling.

Burgin has improved in office and consistently made pro-business decisions. She promises to continue working for more jobs and lower taxes.

Her edge in the race is her deep knowledge of the district. She has successfully brought the Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute under the direction of the University of South Florida.
Burgin appreciates the regional importance of USF and the Port of Tampa.

With the expectation that Burgin will continue to grow in office, The Tampa Tribune in District 56 endorses Rachel Burgin.

District 57

The battle to replace Republican Faye Culp in District 57, has come down to two confident candidates, Republican Dana Young and Democrat Stacy Frank.

Both are lawyers. Young has been staying home with her children and Frank runs a cell-tower business.
The district includes Town 'n' Country, Westchase and the Tampa peninsula.

Young is an enthusiastic backer of her partisan agenda, but does not show depth on a wide variety of issues.

Frank is more thoughtful. She understands, for example, that the drop in property values and foreclosure crisis was not the result of over-regulation. To reduce red tape for developers will not produce the rebound that Young envisions.

Frank, with her analytical, independent approach to issues, is reminiscent of her mother, Hillsborough Clerk of Court Pat Frank.

Frank has been a reliable opponent of near-shore drilling, supports building a better transit system while prices are low, and is right that the state should find a way to collect taxes currently owed by out-of-state merchants on Internet sales.

Expecting her to bring a fresh, informed voice to Tallahassee, in District 57, The Tampa Tribune endorses Stacy Frank.

Tomorrow: Districts 58, 60, 61 and 67.

Rebuttals

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