Realtors back Democrat Mariella Smith against Commissioner Victor Crist

In a move that surprised local insiders, the 11,000-member Greater Tampa Realtors has endorsed Democrat Mariella Smith for a countywide Hillsborough County Commission seat against Republican Commissioner Victor Crist.

That's unusual because trade groups usually back incumbents, and because Smith is campaigning for what she calls "smart growth, not dumb sprawl," including more growth restrictions than advocated by Crist and the current Republican board majority.

Much of the real estate development industry is backing Crist.

"I was shocked," Crist said. "They've endorsed me in 10 previous elections since 1992. I can't think of a single time they opposed me on anything, and as far as I know I've had a perfect record on their issues."

Smith has even blasted Crist's development industry support in an ad, saying he "just collects campaign checks from developers" responsible for traffic congestion, "sprawl and reckless development."

Crist called it hypocritical for Smith to criticize his donations because she benefits from money that special interests donate to the local Democratic Party.

Realtors' government affairs Chairman Andy Joe Scaglione said the group made its decision because they considered Smith an advocate for "responsible growth while protecting our neighborhoods and environment, which is good for property values and homeowners," and that Crist "has lost his passion and stopped working for taxpayers."