Political editor Adam Smith has been on the campaign trail almost constantly since the fall, so he's ready to take your questions about the candidates, the Florida primary on Tuesday or any other election-related topics that are on your mind. Join him for a live chat from noon to 1 p.m. Monday over at The Buzz. Can't make it? Leave a question in advance in the "Comments'' area on that post, then check back afterward to replay the chat. We look forward to hearing from you.

Nothing brings Republicans and Democrats together like a game of dodgeball.

The local Young Republicans and Young Democrats are holding a match Thursday at AirHeads Trampoline Arena.

Scheduled to attend: Republican Hillsborough County commissioner Mark Sharpe and Democratic Hillsborough commissioner Kevin Beckner.

“In today's political environment, it is often difficult for Republicans and Democrats to work together, solve problems and ultimately benefit the citizens they represent,” said Thomas King of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans. “As Young Republicans and Young Democrats, we want to be the generation that works together to solves problems while sticking to our principles and most importantly treating each other with respect.

Their tagline: "Don't dodge bipartisanship, come play dodgeball and learn to work together ."

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at AirHeads, 5072 W Linebaugh Ave. There is a $15 charge to play, which also includes pizza and refreshments.

-- Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer

Tampa City Council candidate Yvonne Yolie Capin announced a flurry of endorsements this week: former University of South Florida president Betty Castor, County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, state Reps. Janet Cruz and Betty Reed, and the local Realtors and electricians unions.

Reed’s endorsement comes after confusion last month over her support for Capin. Capin had distributed campaign fliers that claimed she was endorsed by Reed, but Reed later told the St. Petersburg Times the fliers were inaccurate. Reed said she “supported” Capin, not endorsed her.

"Support and endorsement I see in two different ways," Reed said last month. "If you say you support someone, you can support a lot of people."

Capin said she put the endorsement on the fliers because she understood Reed had endorsed her.

Since the mix-up, Capin qualified for a runoff election versus former County Commissioner Chris Hart for the citywide District 3 City Council seat.

This week, Reed said she changed her mind and went ahead with an official endorsement.  ... Read more

Tampa City Council candidate Chris Hart apologized Thursday to his opponent, Yvonne Yolie Capin, for falsely claiming in a debate last week that she cheated customers of her former bridal shop.

Durng a segment in which the candidates posed questions to one another, Hart challenged Capin on a history of alleged dishonesty, including a claim that years ago she closed a bridal shop and stiffed brides on their deposits.

“If you’ve not followed your word in the past, how do we expect you to keep your word in the future?” he asked.

Capin said she sold the bridal shop, and that the claim was “absolutely not true.”

On Wednesday, after trying to verify the claim for two days, Hart’s campaign admitted it did not have any evidence to support it.

“Obviously, I had inaccurate information on that and for that I’ll apologize,” Hart said Wednesday. ... Read more

Let's switch gears for a moment from the ongoing Tampa city elections to the 2012 races.

Six local candidates have gotten a jump on next November. They've already filed paperwork  with the Hillsborough elections supervisor for the November 2012 cycle: Jackie Beiro, a Democrat for supervisor of elections; Julianne De Priest and Willie Lee Lawson, both Republicans for County Commission District 3 (central and north Tampa); Kevin Beckner, a Democrat for County Commission District 6 (at large); and Cynthia L. Stuart for the Hillsborough School Board District 3 (north county).

Lawson, 50, kicked off his campaign for county commission Thursday, despite the mayoral race's lingering hold on voters' attention. ... Read more

The St. Petersburg Times and Bay News 9 will sponsor another live, televised forum between the candidates for Tampa mayor on Tuesday.

A forum featuring Rose Ferlita and Bob Buckhorn begins at 7 p.m. at Blake High School for the Arts, 1701 North Boulevard in Tampa. Ferlita and Buckhorn are squaring off in the March 22 run-off election after being the top two voter-getters in Tuesday's election.

The event is free and open to the public. To reserve seats, call (813) 225-3109.

The St. Petersburg Times and Bay News 9 will sponsor another live, televised debate between the candidates for Tampa mayor should Tuesday's five-way race force a runoff election in March.

A debate for the runoff candidates would be held Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. at Blake High School for the Arts, 1701 North Boulevard in Tampa.

The debate would be free and open to the public. To reserve tickets, call (813) 225-3109.

Tampa City Council candidate Yvonne Yolie Capin’s recent campaign literature might leave voters with the false impression that she’s been endorsed by two prominent local politicians.

A large mailer touting her work on Barack Obama’s campaign features a glowing photo of Capin and state Rep. Betty Reed, D-Tampa. Next to the photo, it reads, "Endorsed by Representative Betty Reed."

Then, this week, some residents got a postcard with Capin and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, on the front. On the back, it says Capin "and her friend Congresswoman Kathy Castor urge you to vote by March 1st."
But not so fast. Neither Reed nor Castor have endorsed Capin.

Reed said she gave Capin permission to use her photo and her "support" in the race, but not an endorsement.

"Support and endorsement I see in two different ways," Reed said Thursday. "If you say you support someone, you can support a lot of people." ... Read more

Join Times staff writer Lee Logan tonight from 7-8:30 as he provides a running account from Tampa's mayoral debate.

Harry Cohen, one of five candidates vying for the District 4 Tampa City Council seat, quit his job as chief deputy in the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Circuit Court on Monday.

"I thought that was the appropriate thing to do given I'm campaigning full time," he said.

Cohen, an attorney, had worked in the office since 2005. He also worked on the campaign of Pat Frank, who is clerk of the Circuit Court, in 2004. Cohen was not required to quit his job in order to run for office.

Justin George, Times staff writer

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