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March column: Belcher to resign as chairman of Hillsborough Democratic Party

 
Published Nov. 20, 2015

In a surprise this week, Elizabeth Belcher announced she is resigning as chairman of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party as of December. She has served less than a year.

Former Pinellas County Chairman Mark Hanisee says he'll run to replace her.

Hanisee, who is employed as development director for the party, is given credit by some for boosting its fundraising this year. He still lives in Pinellas County, which would make him ineligible for the Hillsborough Party post, but said he intends to move.

Hanisee also said if elected, he'll keep the development director position, which pays him a $1,000 salary and $500 for expenses per month.

Hanisee served as Pinellas chairman from 2010 to 2014, when he lost a re-election battle to Susan McGrath, in the wake of a controversy over his urging a prominent black minister not to oppose Alex Sink in a U.S. House primary.

Hopefuls look to replace Montelione

Assuming Tampa City Council member Lisa Montelione resigns her seat to run for state House District 63, as she announced last week, some candidates already are considering running to replace her. Among them:

• Gene Siudut, longtime managing editor of Ybor City's La Gaceta newspaper, a Democrat and also a civic activist. Siudut says he's definitely interested.

• Mark Danish, a Democrat who once held the District 63 House seat. Danish, a retired teacher, has said in the past he'd be interested in the seat, and said this week he'll consider it.

• Tampa lawyer Luis E. Viera, a civic activist and Democrat, also confirms he's interested.

When the election would be held isn't clear. Elections Supervisor Craig Latimer said he has asked for advice from the city attorney's office, but believes it could be on Election Day in November 2016.

Graham headlines Pinellas Dems dinner

In what looks like an indication that she's raising her statewide political profile, U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham of Tallahassee will headline the Pinellas Democratic Party's annual Kennedy-King Dinner today at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Graham is widely speculated on as a 2018 candidate for governor.

Murphy to visit Pasco Democrats dinner

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, a candidate for U.S. Senate, will headline the Pasco Democratic Party's Red White and Blue fundraising dinner Saturday at the Seven Springs Country Club.

Norman hits $100K, Schock competes

With his October fundraising report, Republican County Commission candidate Jim Norman has reached the $100,000 he said he'd have at the outset of his campaign, adding $16,650.

The new report shows $1,000 in contributions linked to civil engineer Hung Mai, adding to $1,000 last month from Mai and his companies.

Last month's report also showed Norman depending on multiple contributions from core supporters — $6,000 from Shea Hughes and companies he controls, and $4,000 from Sam Rashid and his companies.

Hughes is the son of Ralph Hughes, whose unreported loan to Norman's wife to buy an Arkansas vacation home led to ethics complaints against Norman.

Meanwhile, Norman's comparatively little-known Republican primary opponent, Tim Schock, is showing signs of life, with $34,100 raised so far — much of it from family, but including $1,000 from U.S. Rep. David Jolly's Seagrass PAC. The two are old friends.