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Cynthia Thompson

Political Agenda 09/23/2020

September 22, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Candidate forums set for Pasco candidates
The Pasco County NAACP is hosting two Zoom candidate forums to help voters become more educated before the Nov. 3 general election.

The forums will be conducted via Zoom on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, and will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., each night. Registration is required.

The Sept. 29 forum will feature candidates for U.S. House District 12, Florida Senate District 20 and Florida House Districts 36, 37 and 38. The link to register is tinyurl.com/y6ro5xwa.

The Sept. 30 forum will feature candidates for Pasco County Superintendent of Schools and Pasco County Commission District 3 and District 5. The link to register is tinyurl.com/y5gc3xkg.

Candidates who have agreed to participate include: Kimberly Walker, U.S. House District 12; Kathy Lewis, Florida Senate District 20 Special Election; Dan Endonino, Florida House District 36; Tammy Garcia, Florida House District 37; Brian Staver, Florida House District 38; Kurt Browning and Cynthia Thompson, Superintendent of Schools; Jessica Stempien, County Commission District 3; Brandi Geoit, Jack Mariano and Victor Rodriguez, County Commission District 5.

The Pasco County NAACP and the Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County worked together to send invitations to all candidates in the Pasco County General Elections.

The Pasco NAACP is taking the candidate forums forward. The Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters is unable to co-host because of a national league policy that requires at least two candidates in each election race participate in the forums.

For more information, email Clyde Carter, president of the Pasco NAACP, at .

Sheriffs endorse Danny Burgess
Danny Burgess, a candidate for Florida Senate District 20, has been endorsed by Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, according to a release from Burgess’ campaign.

Simpson endorses Maggard
Wilton Simpson, who is set to become president of the Florida Senate, has endorsed Randy Maggard in the race for State House District 38, according to a release from Maggard’s campaign.

Torres endorses Kathy Lewis
Florida State Sen. Victor “Vic” M. Torres Jr., has endorsed Kathy Lewis in the Florida State Senate District 20 race, according to a release from the Lewis campaign.

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Brian Staver, Chad Chronister, Chris Nocco, Cynthia Thompson, Dan Endonino, Danny Burgess, Grady Judd, Grandi Geoit, Jack Mariano, Jessica Stempien, Kathy Lewis, Kimberly Walker, Kurt Browning, League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, Pasco County General Elections, Pasco County NAACP, Randy Maggard, Tammy Garcia, Victor Rodriguez, Victor Torres Jr., Wilton Simpson

Voter turnout higher in 2020 Primary Election

August 25, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Voter turnout for the 2020 Primary Election was higher than it was in the 2016 Primary, in both  Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

In Pasco, 21.03% of registered voters cast ballots in the 2020 primary, compared to 18.64% in the 2016 primary.

In Hillsborough, the number of registered voters participating was 25.38%, compared to 19.1% in the 2016 primary.

Voters made their choices in some key races in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

In a universal primary in the race for Pasco County Commission District 4, Christina Fitzpatrick won the election, with 32.6% of the vote, compared to the second-highest vote-getter, Gary Bradford, who received 31.52%.

Alison Crumbley won another term on the Pasco County School Board. Candidates Gabriel Papadopoulos and Catie Mansfield fell short of their bid for county commission and county judge, respectively (B.C. Manion)

Jeff Miller and Gabriel “Gabe” Papadopoulos also ran in the four-way race to fill the vacancy that was created when Mike Wells decided to seek the post of county property appraiser, which Wells secured.

All voters were eligible to vote in the universal primary for the District 4 seat because the winner faced no opposition in the general election.

In the Republican primary race for superintendent of Pasco County Schools, incumbent Kurt Browning captured more than 64% of the vote, defeating David LaRoche. He will face Cynthia Thompson No Party Affiliation in the Nov. 3 general election.

In the nonpartisan Pasco County School Board District 4 race, Alison Crumbley won reelection with more than 65% of the vote, defeating challenger Joshua Stringfellow.

In Hillsborough County, four school board seats were up for grabs and all four are heading to run-offs in the Nov. 3 general election.

In District 1, Nadia Combs was the top vote-getter, receiving 44.56% of the vote, and she will face incumbent Steve Cona, who received 33.30%.

District 3 drew five candidates. Mitch Thrower led the pack, with 25.15% of the vote, while Jessica Vaughn came in second, with 24.49%.

Four candidates competed in District 5, with Henry “Shake” Washington receiving 44.45% of the vote compared to incumbent Tammy Shamburger, who drew 23.70% of votes cast in that race.

A quartet of candidates sought the District 7 seat, with Sally Harris emerging with a slight edge over Lynn Gray. Harris hauled in 28.40% of the vote, while Gray received 27.85%.

Rain fell steadily, at least for a while, on 2020 Primary Election Day in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Here are some of the political signs near an intersection in Lutz.

In the Republican primary race for Hillsborough County Sheriff, incumbent Chad Chronister received 62.39% of the vote, defeating challenger Charles Boswell. Chronister will face Democrat Gary Pruitt and Ron McMullen No Party Affiliation in the general election.

In the Democrat primary race for Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Nancy Millan received 61.07% of the vote, defeating April Griffin. Millan will face Republican TK Mathew in the general election.

In the Republican primary race for Hillsborough County Commission District 1, Scott Levinson received 55.61%of the vote, defeating Tony Morejon.

Levinson will face Democrat Harry Cohen, who received 54.24% of the primary vote, defeating Jen McDonald.

In the Democrat primary for Hillsborough County Commission District 3, five candidates competed to fill the seat being vacated by term-limited Les Miller. Gwen Myers was the top vote-getter with 26.52%, edging out Thomas Scott, who received 25.68%. Myers will face Republican Maura Cruz Lane in the general election.

In a universal primary, Hillsborough County voters selected Cindy Stuart as the county’s next Clerk of the Circuit Court. Stuart received 53.44% of the vote, defeating Kevin Beckner.

Election officials took care to make polling places safe. They asked voters to wear masks and maintain a social distance from other voters, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said “vote by mail was way up from the 2016 primary, while early voting in person was down considerably.”

Election day operations went smoothly, he added.

“I’m so blessed to have an amazing team and dedicated poll workers who pulled off a sense of election normalcy during a pandemic,” Corley said.

Pasco County
Registered voters: 378,157
Ballots cast: 79,538
Voter turnout: 21.03%

Source: Pasco County Supervisor of Elections

Hillsborough County
Registered voters: 897,689
Ballots cast: 227,843
Voter turnout: 25.38%

Published August 26, 2020

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: 2020 Primary Election, Alison Crumbley, April Griffin, Brian Corley, Chad Chronister, Charles Boswell, Christina Fitzpatrick, Cindy Stuart, Cynthia Thompson, David Laroche, Gabriel Papadopoulos, Gary Bradford, Gary Pruitt, Gwen Myers, Harry Cohen, Henry Washington, Hillsborough County Commission, Hillsborough County Sheriff, Jeff Miller, Jen McDonald, Joshua Stringfellow, Kevin Beckner, Kurt Browning, Les Miller, Lynn Gray, Maura Cruz Lane, Mike Wells, Mitch Thrower, Nadia Combs, Nancy Millan, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County School Board, Pasco County Schools, Ron McMullen, Sally Harris, Scott Levinson, Steve Cona, Tammy Shamburger, Thomas Scott, TK Mathew, Tony Morejon

Some 2020 races decided; others up for grabs

June 23, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles and Sheriff Chris Nocco each will serve another four years — since no opponents came forward to challenge them by the qualifying deadline in the 2020 election.

Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley also will serve another four years, as his opponent withdrew. And, Mike Wells has been elected to Pasco County Property Appraiser, since his opponent Gary Joiner did not qualify.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley will serve another term in District 1, because opponent Christopher King withdrew. And, Pasco School Board District 2 incumbent Colleen Beaudoin has won another term because her opponent Adrienne G. Wilson withdrew.

Seats in other political races remain up for grabs.

Pasco School Board District 4 incumbent Alison Crumbley faces Joshua M. Stringfellow.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is being challenged by David P. LaRoche and Cynthia Thompson.

Republican Kathryn Starkey incumbent in the race for Pasco County Commission District 3 faces Democrat challenger Jessica McCoy Stempien.

In District 4, an election is being held to fill the seat that’s being vacated two years early by Wells, who decided to run for county appraiser. Four Republican candidates are vying for the seat: Gary Bradford, Christina M. Fitzpatrick, Russell “Jeff’ Miller and Gabriel (Gabe) Papadopoulus.

Pasco County Commission District 5 incumbent Republican Jack Mariano faces challengers Brandi Geoit, a Democrat, and Victor Rodriguez, with no party affiliation.

Meanwhile, at the state level, another familiar face has stepped forward.

Republican Danny Burgess, of Zephyrhills, is competing with Democrat Kathy Lewis in a special election in Senate District 20. They are vying to fill the seat of Tom Lee, who stepped away from the seat early.

Published June 24, 2020

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Alison Crumbley, Andrienne Wilson, Brandi Geoit, Brian Corley, Chris Nocco, Christina Fitzpatrick, Christopher King, Colleen Beaudoin, Cynthia Thompson, Danny Burgess, David Laroche, Gabriel Papadopoulus, Gary Bradford, Gary Joiner, Jack Mariano, Jessica McCoy Stempien, Joshua Stringfellow, Kathryn Starkey, Kathy Lewis, Kurt Browning, Mike Fasano, Mike Wells, Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Ron Oakley, Russell Miller, Tom Lee, Victor Rodriguez

Political Agenda 12/11/2019

December 11, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Candidates are making plans known
A number of local candidates have filed paperwork to make it known they plan to seek office.

Here is an early look at candidates and the offices they’re seeking listed on the Pasco County Supervision of Elections website.

• Property appraiser
Gary Joiner, Republican (Active Pre-filed)
Mike Wells, Republican (Active Pre-filed)

• Superintendent of Schools
Kurt S. Browning, Republican (Active Pre-filed)
David P. Laroche, Republican (Active Pre-filed)
Cynthia Thompson, Republican (Active Pre-filed)

• Supervisor of Elections
Brian E. Corley (Active Pre-filed)

• Pasco County Commission, District 1
Ronald E. Oakley, Republican (Active, Pre-filed)

• Pasco County Commission, District 3
Samantha A. Lindsey, No Party Affiliation (Active Pre-filed)
Kathryn Starkey, Republican (Active Pre-filed)

• Pasco County Commission, District 5
Brandi Geoit, Democrat (Active Pre-filed)
Jack Mariano, Republican (Active Pre-filed)

• Pasco County School Board
Colleen Beaudoin, No Party Affiliation (Active Pre-filed)

Wesley Chapel Republican Club
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club will meet on Dec. 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel Toyota, 5300 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The guest speaker for this meeting will be Dr. William Urban, author of “Trojan Horses of Islamic Supremacy.”

The meeting includes networking, coffee and dessert. New members and guests are welcome.

For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813.

Published December 11, 2019

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Brandi Geoit, Brian Corley, Colleen Beaudoin, Cynthia Thompson, David Laroche, Eagleston Boulevard, Gary Joiner, Jack Mariano, Kathryn Starkey, Kurt Browning, Mike Wells, Ronald Oakley, Samantha Lindsey, Wesley Chapel Republican Club, Wesley Chapel Toyota

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April 20, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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04/23/2021 – Improv Night

Live Oak Theatre will present an Improv Night on April 23 at 7:30 p.m., at the Carol & Frank Morsani Center, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. The family friendly event will feature the Conservatory’s Improv Troupe with games, skits and actor’s choices inspired by the audience. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seats are $10 per person in advance and $15 at the door. For information and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.org, call 352-593-0027, or email . … [Read More...] about 04/23/2021 – Improv Night

04/24/2021 – Butterfly release

Cindy’s Secret Place, 34953 Blanton Road in Dade City, will host a Butterfly Release on April 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the release at 1 p.m. (cost is $5). The event will include raffles, a plant sale, vendors and butterfly houses. Guests can bring chairs and blankets. For information, call 352-457-4030 or 352-424-4972. … [Read More...] about 04/24/2021 – Butterfly release

04/24/2021 – Keep Pasco Beautiful Earth Day

Keep Pasco Beautiful will celebrate Earth Day on April 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Crews Lake Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill. There will be educational and upcycle vendors; a ladybug release; presentations by Croc Encounters and the Owl’s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife; native plants for sale from the Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society; document shredding from 9 a.m. to noon; a rain water harvesting workshop at 10 a.m. ($45 fee); and compost workshop at noon. Preregistration is required for both workshops, at KeepPascoBeautiful.org/earth-day. There also will be a free household hazardous waste collection with Pasco County Solid Waste. The first 50 people to bring a thermometer containing mercury will receive a $5 Publix gift card (one per vehicle). For information on what waste will be accepted, call 813-929-2755, ext. 2046, or visit PascoCountyUtilities.com. … [Read More...] about 04/24/2021 – Keep Pasco Beautiful Earth Day

04/24/2021 – Living History

The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host “Raid on Renault II,” a World War II Living History Event, on April 24 and April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a battle reenactment both days, at 2 p.m. There also will be living history displays, live audio/visual presentations, 1940s radio show vignettes, and food at the concessions. All museum buildings will be open. No coolers, outside food or beverages, or pets. Guests can bring lawn chairs. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for kids younger than 5. Parking is free. For information, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. … [Read More...] about 04/24/2021 – Living History

04/27/2021 – East Pasco Networking

The East Pasco Networking Group will meet on April 27 at 7:30 a.m., at IHop, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. The guest speaker will be Mike Moore, Pasco County Commissioner, District 2. … [Read More...] about 04/27/2021 – East Pasco Networking

04/28/2021 – Family finances

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Family Finance: A World of Information” on April 28 at 6:30 p.m., virtually, for adults. Participants can learn about tools and resources to help tackle financial challenges, such as budgeting, credit monitoring and smart shopping. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/28/2021 – Family finances

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