Young endorses Burgess
House District 38 candidate Danny Burgess has won yet another endorsement, this time from House deputy majority leader and whip Dana Young.
Young, R-Tampa, praised the former Zephyrhills mayor as being a “principled conservative, community leader, dedicated husband and new father.”
Burgess faces Minnie Diaz in the Republican primary for the seat currently held by Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
Burgess raised $4,225 in April, according to state election records, bringing his total campaign account to just under $45,000. Diaz collected $140 during the same period, bringing her total to $3,000.
Barring anyone else entering the race, the winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Beverly Ledbetter, who raised $2,473 in April bringing her total for the November election to $8,464.
Fasano officially in tax collector race
How has former state Sen. Mike Fasano done in his new job as Pasco County’s tax collector? He’ll get a chance to find out as he files to seek out his first full term in office.
Fasano finished the needed paperwork May 23, and has yet to draw an opponent. Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to the position in 2013 following the death of longtime tax collector Mike Olson. Amanda Murphy, D-New Port Richey, replaced him in the Senate.
Olson beat Republican challenger Ed Blommel in 2012 after outraising the Republican nearly 2-to-1.
Fasano spent 10 years in the state Senate, and another eight years in the state House, serving as the majority leader there in 2000.
Legg endorses Wilson re-election bid
Pasco County commissioner Henry Wilson Jr. has picked up an endorsement from state Sen. John Legg in his re-election bid.
“Henry is a strong advocate for Pasco’s business and families,” Legg, R-Lutz, said in a release. “He has and will continue to put Pasco’s best interests first.”
Wilson, who at this point is facing a potential open primary in August against newcomer Mike Wells Jr., already has received endorsements from other politicians like Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes; state Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby; and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.
Swiftmud governing board elects officers
The Southwest Florida Water Management District governing board has elected new officers for the coming year, led by Michael Babb as chair.
Babb, who represents Hillsborough County, is president of Two Rivers Ranch Inc., in Thonotosassa. He was first appointed to the board in June 2011.
Other officers include Randall Maggard as vice chair, Jeffery Adams as secretary and David Dunbar as treasurer.
Maggard, who represents Pasco County, is vice president of Sonny’s Discount Appliances Inc., in Dade City. He was first appointed to the board in October 2011.
Adams, representing Pinellas County, is an attorney and partner with Abbey Adams LLP in St. Petersburg. He was first appointed in April 2010.
Dunbar represents both Hillsborough and Pinellas, and is chairman of Synovus Bank of Florida in Palm Harbor. He was appointed in July 2013.
The new officers serve a one-year term beginning 24 hours before the next governing board meeting, set for June 24.
The board members are unpaid volunteers appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. They set policy for the organization, commonly known as Swiftmud, with its mission to manage the water and related resources of west central Florida, to meet the needs of current and future water users while still protecting the environment.
Wilson endorsed by public safety group
Pasco County Commissioner Henry Wilson’s re-election campaign has received the endorsement of Pasco County Public Safety. That’s a group that includes the West Central Florida Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association, the Fraternal Order of Police Pasco County Sheriff’s Lodge No. 29, and the International Association of Firefighters Pasco County Local 4420.
Wilson is looking to return to his District 4 seat, but has a primary challenge by fellow Republican Mike Wells Jr., in August.
Wilson raised $200 for his campaign in April, bringing his total to $19,245. Wells, in his first month of campaigning, raised $20,700.
If no Democrat enters the race, Wells and Wilson will battle it out in an open primary Aug. 26.
Elections open house
Hillsborough County supervisor of elections Craig Latimer will host an open house June 11 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at 12022 Anderson Road in Tampa.
For information, call (813) 744-5900, or visit VoteHillsborough.org.
