In a 57-41 vote, the Pinellas County Democratic Executive Committee opted for Susan McGrath, former chair of the Pinellas Stonewall Democrats, over incumbent Mark Hanisee, who had chaired the party since 2010 and was known for his fundraising prowess.

The vote put a fine point on a recent schism for local Democrats, many of whom lament an anemic candidate bench and an inability to excite voters during midterm elections.

Hanisee and his supporters said his leadership (and the fundraising, of course) helped turn the party around, garnering crucial wins on the St. Pete City Council and mayor's race last year, as well as new County Commissioner Pat Gerard's win over well-funded Republican Ed Hooper last month.

"This man has brought this party to a party that has money and can compete," said State Rep. Carl Zimmermann, who last month lost his reelection bid to GOP newcomer Chris Sprowls. "We now have an elected majority on St. Pete City Council."

Hanisee echoed that to the crowded room, though some in attendance loudly held conversations among themselves.

"Every candidate in this room, every elected official, I have raised money for," he said. "I have a vision for this party to make it even greater."

Hanisee collected some criticism over the last year concerning his handling of the Florida Congressional District 13 race in the wake of now-Congressman David Jolly's special election win over Democrat Alex Sink in the fight for the swing seat. Reverend Manuel Sykes — whom many consider a community leader in south St. Petersburg — threw his hat in, even though he lived outside the lily-white district. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has a huge hand in competitive Congressional elections (as does the National Republican Congressinoal Committee, its GOP counterpart), had other plans. They wanted to run veteran Ed Jany, who was also from out-of-district. In a controversial voicemail message leaked to the Tampa Bay Times, Hanisee urged Sykes to drop out, calling him a persona non grata. 

Jany ultimately dropped out, leaving the party without an anointed candidate.

McGrath, who may be dealing with candidate recruitment for the same seat in 2016, said such a fiasco would not happen under her.

"We will never go with a seat like D-13 and not have a candidate again," she said. 

Supporters of McGrath also alluded to Hanisee's alleged health issues, and lauded her leadership with the Stonewall Democrats.

Immediately after the vote, Hanisee and many of his supporters walked out.

"Read the Times (tomorrow), Susan, read the Times," someone cryptically shouted as he left.

Despite the nastiness, McGrath acknowledged Hanisee's past successes.

"We genuinely appreciate so much of what he's done for us," she said.

This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2014.