Most of the big political news this week is coming out of the Hillsborough County Commission’s District 1 race, a fight between one big name and some lesser-known but well-positioned candidates. They all want to replace Kathy Castor as that dysfunctional board’s whipping boy.

Democrat Deborah Cope, the first in the race on the D side, has dropped out.

She wrote to supporters in an e-mail,

“Even though I believe that I am the best candidate for this county commission seat, I feel that the substantial financial lead of the Republican front-runner presents a formidable obstacle that will be very difficult to overcome.  I addition to the fundraising lead, Rose Ferlita also pulls Democratic support.  That combined with a three way Democratic primary splits the support even further and makes a victory that much more unlikely.”

We’ll get back to that comment about Ferlita in a bit …

This article appears in May 3-9, 2006.