GOP heavyweight Nancy Watkins has taken the reins as campaign treasurer for Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson. Watkins, an accountant, said she has been handling the duties since April, when Johnson "had a problem brought on suddenly where he needed a treasurer." It was in April that the St. Petersburg Times published a story noting that Johnson's previous campaign treasurer, J. Floyd Hall, was also president of a bank that approved a loan for Johnson.

Hall's bank made a $400,000 loan to Johnson in 2007, allowing him to purchase a 20-acre parcel off Thonotosassa Road for $800,000. Johnson in his latest financial disclosure says the property's value has risen to $1.35-million.

Watkins, who said she's working for Johnson for free, also serves as campaign treasurer for Hillsborough County school board candidate Carol Kurdell, and her clients include 90 or so other state and federal campaigns. Johnson will face Democrat Phyllis Busansky, a former Hillsborough County Commissioner, in November.

-- Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer