Write-in candidate John M. Taylor's surprise candidacy for Pasco County Commission ran into some surprises of its own -- he lived outside the district,  at least until days before qualifying. And he already supported a candidate, Republican challenger John Nicolette. Taylor signed a pledge card for Nicolette, there's a Nicolette sign outside his (new) address -- Taylor even bought land from him.

Why the fuss? Taylor's candidacy means 170,000 Democrats and other voters won't have a real say on who the next commissioner is -- triggering threats of a challenge by Democrats and Schrader.

-- David DeCamp/Times staff writer