ST. PETERSBURG -- Bob Hackworth (left), the mayor of Dunedin who's running for the Congressional District 10 seat now held by veteran U.S. Rep. Bill Young, brought his campaign to south Pinellas County tonight for a fundraiser.

Hosts included George Rahdert, a St. Petersburg lawyer, state Rep. Darryl Rouson and St. Petersburg City Council member Jamie Bennett, who didn't attend. State Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, and St. Petersburg City Council member Karl Nurse were also there.

"We have a chance this fall to put forth a really credible candidate,"
Hackworth told a crowd of a couple dozen people at Rahdert's downtown St. Petersburg office. "The people of District 10 at least deserve the
dialogue of a campaign. They haven't had that."

Hackworth said Young hasn't been held accountable because he's rarely faced a serious challenge. Hackworth said he would address the issues that the Republicans have bungled, including the war in Iraq, the economy, the national debt, and earmarks of federal money.

Justice said he would support any of the three Democrats should they win the Aug. 29 primary. The other candidates are Max Linn, pictured center, who ran with the Reform Party for governor in 2006, and Samm Simpson, pictured right, who won 34 percent of the vote against Young in 2006. Justice said Linn has the money to get his message out, Simpson has built a loyal network of supporters and Hackworth has a history in the northern part of the district.

Linn will be speaking on Wednesday next week at the St. Petersburg Democratic Club at the Piccadilly Cafeteria at 1900 34th St. N in St. Petersburg at 7 p.m. Catch up with Simpson at one of her weekly bowling outings. The next one is on Monday at Seminole Lanes at 8668 Park Blvd at 7 p.m.

--Stephanie Garry, Times Staff Writer