TAMPA — Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Court Pat Frank's re-election campaign kickoff Wednesday turned into a display of backing from the local Democratic Party establishment. More than a dozen current or former elected Democratic officeholders either attended or were on the list of hosts.
Stacy Frank, who organized the event for her mother, said about 150 people put their names on the signup sheet for the event at Mise en Place, the go-to watering hole for Democratic events in Tampa.
Pat Frank faces what could be the toughest primary on the county ballot next year, against Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner.
Frank was introduced by state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, who said she thinks Frank has held more elected offices than anyone in Hillsborough County: School Board, state House and Senate, county commissioner and clerk of court.
"I'm ready for the next chapter," Frank told the crowd.
Frank didn't mention the primary contest, but appeared to draw a contrast between her experience and Beckner's, explaining why she likes the clerk's office.
"It's an executive position," she said. "The buck stops with me. There are no term limits because it's not a policymaking position — it's a job."
Stacy Frank said the event was intended as a party rather than a fundraiser.
"It's not about money," she said. "Mom will raise as much as she needs."
The crowd, heavy with longtime Tampa political veterans, also presented a contrast with Beckner, a rising Democratic star who's expected to gain support from younger voters.
Attendees included former Mayor Sandy Freedman, former state education Commissioner Betty Castor (along with her daughter, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor), longtime union activist Ed Dees, civil rights lawyer Warren Dawson and City Council member Charlie Miranda.
Buckhorn finally sides with Frank
Mayor Bob Buckhorn said a few weeks ago that he expected to stay neutral in the Beckner-Frank race, citing his long relationship with Pat Frank but also Beckner's ability to draw support from young people.
But this week, Buckhorn sent Frank a contribution and confirmed via text message he's supporting her.
Buckhorn said he usually stays neutral in primaries unless he has "a long-standing personal relationship" with a candidate. Frank "practically adopted me" when he came to Tampa in 1982, he said.
"In a business where loyalty is a dwindling commodity, I could not turn my back on someone who helped give me my start over 30 years ago and has done a superb job in any office she has served," he said.
"That being said," he added, "I have nothing but the utmost respect for the job Kevin Beckner has done and the utmost confidence that he will continue to serve this community in any number of ways."
He noted he has supported Beckner in his previous races and will again if Becker wins the primary.
Some trivia: In 1984, two years after Buckhorn came to town, he and Frank were Hillsborough County co-chairs of former astronaut and Ohio Sen. John Glenn's presidential campaign.
In an interview, Beckner said he expected Frank to get contributions from longtime allies like Buckhorn, but he's confident of his own support.
"She's built over 40 years of IOUs during her career," Beckner said. "I've had people tell me they support me and would vote for me, but have known Pat Frank for years and owe her favors and will be sending her a check."
Murphy to hold Tampa fundraiser
Look for Democratic Senate candidate Patrick Murphy to hold a fundraiser in Tampa Sept. 12, probably at Mise en Place. No details yet, but Democratic fundraiser Justin Day is one of the hosts.
William March can be reached at wemarch@gmail.com.