A standing-room-only crowd of Hillsborough Democrats still buzzing from the election of Barack Obama last month elected its new leaders tonight. Attorney Pat Kemp easily defeated consultant James Randolph for the chairmanship with 135 votes to Randolph's 45. Kemp said work must begin immediately on getting Democrats elected to the Hillsborough County Commission and state Legislature in 2010. She hopes to do that by increasing party membership and fundraising through local clubs.

Kemp's election came amid bickering inside the party and the decision by Randolph to make a play for the chairmanship instead of running alongside Kemp as vice chair. In Kemp's pre-vote pitch, she talked about her 20 years of service to the local party; Randolph said he was a relative newcomer with no baggage. "The house is not in order," he said. After his defeat, Randolph said he would remain involved in the party and continue his work building the East Hillsborough Democratic Club.

A nomination from the floor put Randolph on the ballot for vice chair, but he was defeated again by Chris Brown. Ella Coffee was elected secretary, and Marilyn Cappiello was re-elected treasurer. Sally Phillips, president of the GLBTA Democratic Caucus, defeated a slate of candidates that included incumbent Dianne Hart to become state committeewoman. Alan Clendenin ran unopposed to become state committeeman. He replaces Monroe Mack.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer

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