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Political junkie

GOP chairman strays from endorsement history

By Times staff writers
Published April 6, 2005

Over the years, Pinellas GOP chairmen have tried at least to be subtle when they favored certain candidates in competitive Republican primaries, but Tony DiMatteo says he sees it differently.

"It should be our obligation to look at the people in the primary and support the people who we think are best suited to carry the Republican banner," said DiMatteo, who was elected party chairman in December and is now aggressively stepping into the crowded Republican field interested in succeeding state Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

DiMatteo has written a fundraising letter on behalf of Peter Nehr, the Tarpon Springs commissioner running for Bilirakis' District 48 House seat. While noting that he was speaking "personally and individually" in endorsing Nehr (so as not to violate state party rules), DiMatteo threw his title squarely behind Nehr.

"As Party Chairman, I do not give my individual endorsement lightly, but in this case I do so without hesitation or reservation," wrote DiMatteo, noting Nehr's hard work for the party over the years.

Nobody's particularly surprised that DiMatteo would openly endorse Gus Bilirakis for Congress and local favorite Charlie Crist for governor, but his involvement in the District 48 race is raising eyebrows.

"That's his call, but I don't believe that's the appropriate role of the party chairman," said former Oldsmar Mayor Jerry Provenzano, who is also looking at jumping into the race. "It raises more questions than it answers. Does it mean Peter is now going to get preferential treatment at any in-party events?" (No, promised DiMatteo).

Other potential Republican candidates for the House seat include Safety Harbor Commissioner Robin Borland and county Housing Authority member Brian Flaherty. Nehr has already filed papers to raise money, as have Palm Harbor construction manager Christopher Schlenker and Palm Harbor Fire Commissioner Ken Peluso.

Nehr, meanwhile, is appreciative. "It's helped from a financial standpoint," already, he said, noting that he's received congratulations from many people in the local GOP loop.

St. Petersburg City Council chairman Richard Kriseman on Friday filed papers to run for the House District 53 seat Charlie Justice is vacating to run for state Senate. Kriseman is expected soon to be joined in the Democratic primary race by fellow council member Jay Lasita. Michael Derry, a first-time candidate whose father, Bob Derry, ran unsuccessfully for Congress last year, also has filed to run in District 53.

Kriseman is a 42-year-old lawyer whom observers view as a potentially formidable fundraiser because of his expected support from Florida trial lawyers. He was appointed to the council in 2000 to fill a vacancy and won elections in 2001 and 2003.

"I certainly know the people and the issues of the district," Kriseman said.

His term expires in 2008, but state law requires Kriseman to resign his council seat by November 2006 in order to run for the state House.

Whether it was opposing looser restrictions on Sunday booze sales or fighting employment and housing protections for homosexuals, St. Petersburg City Council member Bill Foster had cultivated a reputation as the board's strictest social conservative.

But like a lot of other Pinellas Republicans, Foster did not hesitate to stand behind Circuit Judge George Greer during the Terri Schiavo controversy. The St. Petersburg lawyer (who's not aiming to run for any office in 2006), went on local TV to stand behind the judge being vilified by critics across the country.

"A lot of my conservative Christian brethren thanked me for doing it," Foster recounted. "And I got a great response at my church, too."

Pinellas Democrats have unveiled a spiffier new Web site: pinellasdemocrats.com. They're following on the heels of Pinellas Republicans, who have upgraded their own site: pinellasgop.com. Both executive committees are aiming to put more up-to-date information online.

Next up, local Democrats might want to follow the fundraising lead of Republicans. GOP chairman DiMatteo estimates the county party will report raising about $50,000 for the first quarter of 2005, an apparent record for an off-year election. Democratic chairwoman Carrie Wadlinger said she hasn't been concentrating on raising money and will show about one-tenth the Republican haul through April. She expects a much stronger second quarter.

Adam C. Smith, Melanie Ave, and Nora Koch contributed to this week's Political Junkie.

[Last modified April 6, 2005, 01:07:18]