Though this year’s raucous presidential race is getting all the attention, there’s a vote coming up long before November 8 that brings its own share of drama; the Florida primaries on August 30.
A local primary election — dramatic? Not usually. Such primaries tend to be on the dull side, and it’s often only the most hardcore party activists who decide them.
But this year, two races in Hillsborough have broken the mold.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
The incumbent, Pat Frank, is a 12-year veteran in that role, popular for embracing technology and equality.
Her challenger is County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, a certified financial planner* by trade who is terming out of his seat.
Allegedly, there was a misunderstanding over whether Frank, 86, was retiring this year, which was why Beckner, 45, originally said he was going to run for the seat.
What’s transpired since has been a divisive race in which the two former allies have accused one another of not doing their jobs and gotten into heated debates at community forums.
Both have long, well-documented track records of doing their jobs not only well, but in ways that please their Democratic bases — which makes for a tough decision for Democrats.
The three-language newspaper La Gaceta called Frank “the matriarch of the local Democratic Party.” She has been in public service — as a school board member, state lawmaker, county commissioner and clerk — since 1972 and is considered a trailblazer in many respects.
Beckner, though only elected in 2008, is also considered a trailblazer. Not only was he the first openly gay Hillsborough County Commissioner, he added a progressive voice to the dais that helped steer conversations toward protections for LGBT individuals and creation of an animal abuser registry.
Frank enjoys endorsements from the likes of the Tampa Bay Times and La Gaceta — who each essentially say both candidates are qualified, but why remove someone with a proven track record?
Beckner’s supporters say it’s time for new leadership, and Beckner’s sharpness and attention to detail, among other things, make him right for the job.
The winner of that primary will face the Republican in November, former Fox 13 reporter Eric Seidel.
County Commission District 6 (Countywide)
A four-way race — crowded because it’s an open seat, and one a Democrat can win in November
The Democratic candidates are former Plant City Mayor John Dicks, attorney and activist Pat Kemp, former County Commissioner/Tampa City Councilman Tom Scott and attorney/transportation activist Brian Willis.
The race hasn’t gotten quite as heated as that for County Clerk, but the differences among the candidates are glaring.
Take the ongoing debate over transportation.
Kemp opposed the Go Hillsborough project because it didn’t provide enough funding for a public transit overhaul. Dicks and Willis would have liked to see it move forward, and Scott appeared willing to vote for it on some conditions.
As for the controversial Tampa Bay Express project (TBX), all but Dicks are opposed.
All are in support of medical marijuana, though to varying degrees. Kemp would also like to see it decriminalized, while Dicks would only like to see medical use become legal.
The winner in that primary would face either former County Commissioner/State Senator Jim Norman or newcomer Tim Schock, the two Republicans in the GOP primary, in the general election.
Early voting is underway currently through Aug. 28 and mail ballots have been sent out. Check back here next week for a look at a handful of crowded primaries for Tampa Bay area legislative seats, which will also be decided on Aug. 30.
*CL previously reported that Beckner is a CPA. We regret the error.
This article appears in Aug 18-25, 2016.