The Alliance for Florida, a political action committee spearheaded by developer Don Phillips, hosted an event for its endorsed candidates at the waterfront home of Phillips on Friday. Phillips touts the group as a nonpartisan group simply interested in good political leadership. "You can complain about things or you can get up and do something. We want to be doers," Phillips said before introducing to the candidates to a packed house. The chosen candidates are a bipartisan bunch -- sort of. Of the nine, two are Democrats: Valerie Goddard, a candidate for Hillsborough County Commission: and Darryl Rouson, who's running for the District 55 state House seat. However, there are no Republicans in either race. Of note, though: The Alliance for Florida chose Goddard, a political newcomer, over sitting county commissioner Kevin White and former state Sen. Les Miller. The other endorsement worth noting: The Alliance is backing Trey Rustmann in his run for the District 1 Hillsborough County Commission race. His opponent in the primary: Sandy Murman, who's actually listed as a member of the Alliance's advisory board. Other Alliance board members include Republican party activist Hoe Brown, former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco and Hillsborough County tax collector Doug Belden.

Here's a list of the remaining candidates they've endorsed: Pam Bondi for Florida Attorney General; James Grant in the District 47 state House race: Mark Sharpe for the District 7 Hillsborough County Commission seat: Kathryn Starkey for the District 45 state House seat; Dana Young in the District 57 state House race;and  Jack Latvala, in the District 16 state Senate race.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer