By Kyle LoJacono
Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader is seeking his fourth term on the board after filing the necessary paperwork earlier this month.
Schrader, 55, said it will be the last time he runs for the post. He filed to end rumors he would seek another political office, such as the Florida House seat currently occupied by Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, which will be open in two years.
“I wanted to dispel any notion that I’d be running for another political office,” Schrader said. “It’s not my desire to go to Tallahassee. My focus is to continue to provide quality representation to the citizens of Pasco County.”
Schrader is the representative for Pasco District 1, which represents all or portions of Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, San Antonio, Saint Leo and Lacoochee. It is the biggest of the county’s five districts in terms of landmass.
Fellow county Commissioner Pat Mulieri, who represents most of central Pasco and portions of Wesley Chapel within District 2, is pleased Schrader decided to run again.
“Ted is a thoughtful hard working commissioner,” Mulieri said. “I believe we have a good board now with him on it.”
Mulieri has been on the commission the last 17 years, which includes all three of Schrader’s terms.
Schrader, a Republican, is also a citrus grower and Realtor. He first ran for the District 1 spot in 2000. No one ran against him when he was elected. He defeated San Antonio developer John Nicolette in the 2008 Republican primary en route to earning his third term.
His family has a long history in Pasco’s politics as his grandfather, Arthur Schrader, served as the District 1 commissioner for more than 20 years.
Schrader said he won’t serve as long as his grandfather, promising that his fourth term would be his last.
“I’ve always thought that politicians shouldn’t have everlasting careers,” Schrader said. “If I win, that will be enough for me. There are other things I want to do and it will give someone else the opportunity.”
