Eaton's Out in House 52
Chris Eaton, a St. Petersburg Democrat who looked like a strong contender in the race to succeed Republican state Rep. Frank Farkas in state House district 52, is dropping out. That leaves Democrat Liz McCallum, who ran for the seat in 2004, still in the race, though Eaton is encouraging other Democrats to jump in.
"My company, Bridge Builders, has signed on with an exciting new client coordinating global educational trips for colleges and universities from around the United States. The new demands would have hindered my campaign over the coming months, diminishing the likelihood of my winning this very competitive seat,'' Eaton said in an e-mail Friday night. "I strongly urge qualified Democrats who have been considering public service to throw their hat in the ring for this seat. I hope that by making this decision early I am allowing enough time for others to join the race. Voters deserve choices.''
Republicans in that swing district have plenty of choices for their primary: Angelo Cappelli, Sandie Curran, Ross Johnson, or Sean Scott.
"My company, Bridge Builders, has signed on with an exciting new client coordinating global educational trips for colleges and universities from around the United States. The new demands would have hindered my campaign over the coming months, diminishing the likelihood of my winning this very competitive seat,'' Eaton said in an e-mail Friday night. "I strongly urge qualified Democrats who have been considering public service to throw their hat in the ring for this seat. I hope that by making this decision early I am allowing enough time for others to join the race. Voters deserve choices.''
Republicans in that swing district have plenty of choices for their primary: Angelo Cappelli, Sandie Curran, Ross Johnson, or Sean Scott.
23 Comments:
At 8:44 AM, November 19, 2005, Jamie said…
This is very disappointing. Chris Eaton is a fine and honorable man who would have made a great state representative. It is rare that people with his sense of ethics and service ever choose to seek a life in politics. I hope he will consider running again in the future.
I do hope that another Democrat of his caliber will decide to enter this race.
At 12:40 PM, November 19, 2005, erin martin said…
This is ashame. I hope someone else files. I haven't heard good things about McCallum.
At 2:02 PM, November 19, 2005, Anonymous said…
Hey Jay Lasita, go for it!
At 8:10 PM, November 19, 2005, A.L.C. said…
This is indeed a disappointment. I was very much looking forward to voting for Chris again. I have to wonder if there is perhaps more to it than the email lets on.
I wonder if some of the moderate money flowing to Eaton will now flow to Angelo Cappelli.
At 9:33 PM, November 19, 2005, Anonymous said…
It would make sense for moderate democrats to turn to Cappelli. He is the traditional sensible Pinellas republican we have had govern and represent the county for the last 40 years
At 10:28 PM, November 19, 2005, Anonymous said…
Anyone else would be better than McCallum. She is a carpet bagger. Tell her to go back California and work for Gray Davis. Chris was a good candidate who would've won the primary and the general election.
At 10:34 PM, November 19, 2005, Anonymous said…
She beat Chris Eaton, and Peter Schorsctch thinks got the 'huge, raging b****' qualities to beat Frankly...
Virginia Littrell!!!
At 5:53 PM, November 21, 2005, Anonymous said…
Diddo to everything said about Chris here.
It would be great if he changes his mind, because the Dems need a real candidate.
At 11:11 PM, November 21, 2005, h.j.b. said…
The Democrats definitely need a credible candidate fast in District 52. Liz isn't from here, doesn't get it and can't sell it. So I quoted the movie "Dave", sue me. The Emily's List imported advocates who lend faux support for Liz aren't enough to convince the voters. I do think a legit D candidate could win this seat. I'd like to see those posting here recommend some qualified Democrats for 52. People tend to run for office if encouraged by enough supporters. Here’s my idea: Sean King – quarterback this district to Tallahassee!
The Republicans definitely need to rally behind a candidate in 52. My quick read on the existing candidates:
1. CONNECTED - Capelli has the well-connected Devron Gibbons running his show. He seems to be appealing to moderates and has a good mix of business folks behind him. Though his name is not great and a solid conservative could out flank him in the primary. Also, what's with the Sembler support/family messaging? Are you part of the family? Do they support you or what?
2. SIGNAGE - Ross Johnson strikes me as a real estate guy that just loves to see his name on a sign. Don't know if that will get him to Tally. The sign vendors will love this guy. Expect a color scheme that mirrors his "for sale" signs.
3. NAME GAME - Sandie Curran is so new it's hard to tell yet. Early guess is this opportunist is trying to take advantage of Leslie Curran's name. But she's for huntin', fishin' and more Medicaid coverage. If Sandie positions herself as the far right candidate and appeals to female voters, she has a real chance. I recommend a logo with long hair and a rifle.
4. KARL JR - Sean Scott seems to be the most politically savvy, Karl Rovian one. It's still amazing that Sean Scott duped the Times and ABC News into writing pseudo-hero stories in advance of his formal campaign launch. Here’s the result of crafty political consulting:
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/03/news_pf/Southpinellas/Lawyer__must__do_more.shtml
http://www.abcactionnews.com/stories/2005/08/050831help.shtml
With a clear knack for the political craft so early in the campaign, Scott could be best out of the bunch. If his positive launch can be this good just imagine how good his attack ads will be.
And where’s Cary Burns, he’s waited for this day. He must still be ticked off about something? Cary, jump in there and spice it up!
Hey Times Buzz, how about another update on all of the house and senate races so we arm chair experts can weigh on them?
Here are my quick thoughts:
District 55 – Rev. Peterman, give it up. You don’t seem to like the job. Encourage a newcomer or two to get involved. Maybe James Bennett, Larry Williams or Darryl Rouson?
District 54 – I think District 54 is cursed. Don Sullivan won and didn’t want the job. Everett Rice won without opposition then sought the attorney general’s post in advance of the wandering Bill McCollum gypsy campaign. John Carassas split quickly when Charlie Crist offered him a job. So who wants this job - Rod Jones. So Rod, you’ve finally picked a district. When you’re done bike riding you’ll be ready to ride your daddy’s coattails. Let’s hope daddy Jones finds some “competition” to get on the ballot again for some double Jones action. “Cookie” Kennedy, care to crumble again? Frishe, what are you doing these days? Petruccelli, who are you?
District 53 - Ken Feck, where are you? Some “Auld Lang Syne” character is running. O.K. that’s not very nice. Maybe Christopher K. Ah Leong is credible but he should change his name to Chris Long. Rick Kriseman, I think you can do it but don’t tell anyone you’re a lawyer. Michael Derry, get over it. Nobody thinks you’re John Kerry.
District 51 – Perennial grocery bagger candidate Michael Smith is at it again against three real candidates. Mike, I’d like plastic and you out of the race. Janet Long is probably ready to move up and may the best win between Dottie Reeder and Bruce Cotton. This district will be served well by any of these candidates except the grocery bagger.
District 50 – Kai Rush? Where are you? Lucile Casey, you’ve run for everything else, you might as well take a shot. Karen Seal, move up before it’s too late! This race is shaping up to be Ed Hooper vs. the Republican Party/Realtors Coalition of Florida. Ed’s a good guy but it looks like the realtors have a closing date on this seat.
District 48 – Peter Nehr has proven that he is more American than the other Americans in this race and he has the flag shop to prove it. Robin Borland has political experience and should put up a tough fight. Ken Peluso might want to move and take advantage of a Lealman Fire District vacancy. Brian Flaherty is supposed to be a sharp and qualified guy. Though good luck to the Republicans trying to move to the right beyond a guy that owns a flag shop. Carl Zimmermann, you never know. It might be best to stay quiet and hope for a great Democratic gubernatorial candidate for some coattail riding.
District 45 – Tom Anderson should be safe but maybe Kevin Ambler will provide some friendly, sacrificial competition again.
Pinellas is the center of Florida’s 2006 political universe. We have some good folks running but let’s encourage more qualified candidates! Thanks for the forum St. Pete Times.
At 11:47 PM, November 21, 2005, Anonymous said…
Sean King? Is he related to the QB Shaun King?
At 9:22 AM, November 22, 2005, h.j.b. said…
Bad spelling on my part. Yes, I meant QB Shaun King.
At 10:37 AM, November 22, 2005, Anonymous said…
Chris would have never won, he couldnt even beat Virginia Littrell. Liz McCallum easily beats that midget Angelo Cappelli.
At 10:35 PM, November 22, 2005, Petty, E said…
Chris Eaton is a blow hard. You can't believe anything he says. Now he says he has to drop out of the primary race because of his ephemeral business venture. It's just coincidental that he's concluded that Liz McCallum has far more popular support and ran a stronger race for House District 52.
At 11:42 PM, November 22, 2005, Anonymous said…
If Liz was such a superior candidate, why can't she raise money? Or use it properly? Why did Chris Eaton raise $20,000 in a month I think and Liz raised not even half that in 9 months?
According to SOE website, Chris Eaton got 45% of the vote in 2002 with a Libertarian in the race and Bill McBride at the top of the ticket. It seems that if he ran in 2004 he might have won - since Kerry fared far better than McBride did.
At 1:12 AM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
11:11,
So, Sandie Curran is a right-wing female ... rare breed indeed ... I'm getting excited about her candidacy already.
At 3:00 AM, November 23, 2005, A.L.C. said…
HJB, your post was painful to read.
At 8:47 AM, November 23, 2005, H.J.B. said…
I'll try to keep future posts brief. Just wanted to unload some conversation starters. Happy Thanksgiving fellow political junkies!
At 11:04 AM, November 23, 2005, Anonymous said…
A right winger woman with a rifle - should sell on Snell Isle
At 10:41 AM, November 24, 2005, Peter Schorsch said…
Chris' 2002 campaign overperformed for that year but underperformed relative to Liz' campaign in 2004.
Liz raised more money, got more votes and ran a better campaign than Chris' campaign in 2002.
Liz actually won the early voting period because her campaign mobilized its efforts to win those voters. Had she had had more money or the FDP and its inept House victory staff prioritized Liz' campaign and not the campaign that posted a huge loss to John Legg, Farkas would have lost.
That said, I don't think any of that that was a factor in Chris decision to get in the race or to get out. He's always been the Hamlet of local politics: how many times have we heard that he was going to run for this office or that office? There's a reason for that...Chris is a good candidate, probably one of the smartest, most compassionate leaders in the area.
Still, I don't think he would have beat Liz, and I know he would not have won a general. Liz is a much better general election candidate, and if the FDP doesn't screw things up again, she will win this seat.
So for Jamie (and I presume that is Councilman Bennett), I suggest we start rallying around Liz campaign.
As for those of you who are disappointed by Chris is dropping out, I think you are the same myopic individuals who thought that Darden Rice was going to win. Decent people like Chris or Darden aren't going to win elections. You all might not like that, but it's true. And you all have to decide whether you want to keep backing candidates who are nice and lose or moderate, sensible candidates who win.
At 12:26 AM, November 25, 2005, Anonymous said…
H.J.B.
I disagree your posts are not too long they are very informative. Keep it up.
At 1:07 AM, November 25, 2005, Anonymous said…
Peter S:"Liz actually won the early voting period because her campaign mobilized its efforts to win those voters."
.... so the fact that a presidential campaign took place that year and the fact that it was the first true year of early voting didn't help Liz? If Liz was such a great candidate she wouldn't have pissed away her money already - to fund Peter's habits.
Peter Shorsch hates Chris and Darden for one reason: they are both gay. And like Liz, Peter hates gays.
At 9:36 AM, November 26, 2005, Anonymous said…
Don't worry too much about Peter
S. Since he was charged with
writing 16 bad checks to suppliers
of campaign materials, his career
as a political consultant is about
to end. His first hearing date is
in a few weeks.
At 4:23 PM, November 27, 2005, Peter Schorsch said…
To say that I hate gays is the most ignorant statement ever made on this blog. I may be many things, but homophobic is certainly not one of them.
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