With a rash of Republican challengers to GOP incumbents, Pasco County Republican Party Chairman Bill Bunting wants every GOP candidate to sign a pledge to support the eventual winner. Acknowledging 2008 will be a tough election year, he said the forthcoming form will help keep the party from tattering.

Pasco Democrats have no such pledge planned, county Chairwoman Alison Morano said, though she had empathy (with alligator tears) for Bunting. “The Republicans are tearing themselves apart with candidates running against incumbents,” she said.

Those keeping count: Republican incumbents have primary challengers in all three County Commission races and the sheriff’s election.

-- David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer