Political landscape around elevated road leaning negative
Two more candidates seeking to replace Pat Mulieri on the Pasco County Commission have spoken out against the elevated toll road.
Ken Littlefield, a former state representative seeking the Republican nomination for the seat, told a debate audience earlier this month that he was waiting to get more information before deciding whether he would support the project proposed along a 33-mile stretch between U.S. 301 and U.S. 19 on the State Road 54/56 corridor.
However, during a town hall meeting hosted by Commissioner Kathryn Starkey last week, Littlefield announced publicly he was against the toll road.
“If there is one thing I detest, it’s an unsolicited call,” Littlefield said. “I will hang up. Ladies and gentlemen, what I think we need to do on this unsolicited bid is hang up.”
The next day, the lone Democrat seeking the seat so far — Erika Remsberg — said in a comment on LakerLutzNews.com that she was against the proposal as well.
“I opposed a state roadway being a system in which those able to pay more have a ‘fast pass’ option like an amusement park,” Remsberg wrote. “This will impact those of us living and running businesses along (State Road) 54 negatively. I do not support this proposal.”
Bob Robertson, who also is seeking the Republican nod, spoke out against the elevated toll road during a debate earlier this month, while his opponent Mike Moore has yet to take a public position.
Moore fundraiser at Primebar
Pasco County Commission candidate Mike Moore will host a fundraising reception March 27 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Primebar at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel.
Ross gives money back to Treasury
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, says he’s returned nearly $88,000 from his 2013 office budget back to the U.S. Treasury.
“I am constantly striving to do more with less while continuing to provide Central Floridians with the best constituent services,” Ross said in a release. “I work for the people, and using their money wisely is of utmost importance.”
Ross so far is facing Democrat Alan Cohn in the November elections, but has already raised more than $548,000 through the end of last year for this election cycle. Cohn, on the other hand, has raised $75,400, according to the Federal Election Commission.
“Ever since I was elected to serve in Congress, I have kept my promise to promote a financially responsible government — both in how I vote as well as how I run my office,” Ross said. “I have worked hard to ensure that every dollar counts, and I have returned more than a quarter million taxpayer dollars to the Treasury throughout the past three years.”
Littlefield yet to raise any outside money
Former State Rep. Ken Littlefield jumped into the Pasco County Commission race to replace Pat Mulieri long after his two primary opponents, Mike Moore and Bob Robertson, but he has a long way to go if he wants to catch up to their fundraising.
In his first full month running for office, Littlefield has not received a single donation, according to his campaign finance filings. He’s been working with $1,000, but that’s money he loaned his campaign.
Moore added another $1,650 to his coffers, and despite February being his slowest fundraising month yet, the Wesley Chapel entrepreneur has now raised more than $44,000 since last summer. All but $200 of his donations came from Pasco County.
Robertson pulled in another $600 in February, bringing his total to $10,600. Only one of the donations, for $100, was from someone within his district. The rest came from a water manager in Orlando and an information technologies specialist in Winter Park.
Erika Remberg, the lone Democrat seeking Mulieri’s seat, raised just over $450 over the past few weeks. A little more than $160 was what Remberg herself gave to her campaign, but the rest did come from Pasco County residents.
The Republican primary for the seat is set for Aug. 26, with the general election wrapping up Nov. 4.
