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Hernando County Commission District 5, Dave Russell v. Steve Champion

 
Steve Champion is a Republican candidates for the District 5 seat on the Hernando County Commission.
Steve Champion is a Republican candidates for the District 5 seat on the Hernando County Commission.
Published Aug. 17, 2016

Hernando County Commission District 5, Republicans

There are two Republican candidates in the Aug. 30 primary vying for the chance to take on Democrat Paul Douglas for the District 5 seat on the County Commission. The winner in the general election will replace two-term Commissioner Jim Adkins, who chose to not seek re-election. The Republican candidates are Steve Champion, a political newcomer, and Dave Russell, a former county commissioner and former member of the state House of Representatives.

About the job: County commissioners are elected countywide but must live in the district for the seat they are seeking. Commissioners set policy and the budget for government operations. District 5 includes most of the eastern half of Hernando County. Commissioners serve four-year terms, and the annual salary is $65,515.

Steve Champion

Profession:

Owner of American Gun and Pawn

Owner of American Gun and Pawn

About the candidate:

A fifth generation Brooksville resident, Champion, 42, has owned his pawn and gun business for three years. He spent 23 years working as a store director for Target. He has no previous political experience and has worked on numerous Target benefits for the homeless and the hungry. He is a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association and an annual sponsor for the Hernando High School Future Farmers of America.

A fifth generation Brooksville resident, Champion, 42, has owned his pawn and gun business for three years. He spent 23 years working as a store director for Target. He has no previous political experience and has worked on numerous Target benefits for the homeless and the hungry. He is a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association and an annual sponsor for the Hernando High School Future Farmers of America.

Education:

Graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School; earned his bachelor's in business administration at Hamilton College

Graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School; earned his bachelor's in business administration at Hamilton College

Platform:

Champion describes his platform as "conservative, small government, non-politician, family values, pro-Second Amendment and pro business.''

Champion describes his platform as "conservative, small government, non-politician, family values, pro-Second Amendment and pro business.''

Why are you the best choice for this position?

"With over 25 years managing multimillion-dollar businesses, I will use this experience to make Hernando more efficient and business friendly. I'm also not running to make politics a career like most people.'' He said he brings "common sense leadership and real world experience with me.''

"With over 25 years managing multimillion-dollar businesses, I will use this experience to make Hernando more efficient and business friendly. I'm also not running to make politics a career like most people.'' He said he brings "common sense leadership and real world experience with me.''

What is your opinion on impact fees?

"As a conservative I would never be in favor of more taxes. However, when you build a new home, it takes a year to really effectively tax the real value... so I would be in favor of a reasonable impact fee charged to ensure the new property owner is paying their fair share.''

"As a conservative I would never be in favor of more taxes. However, when you build a new home, it takes a year to really effectively tax the real value... so I would be in favor of a reasonable impact fee charged to ensure the new property owner is paying their fair share.''

What should the county do to improve police and fire services and how?

"I am a big supporter of our first responders and police and sheriff's departments. The key to all funding is business growth. When we attract new business to our county, we add high-paying jobs. The new income helps other businesses, which grows our tax base and increases home values. I believe we can do both and lower taxes."

"I am a big supporter of our first responders and police and sheriff's departments. The key to all funding is business growth. When we attract new business to our county, we add high-paying jobs. The new income helps other businesses, which grows our tax base and increases home values. I believe we can do both and lower taxes."

Assets/liabilities/ income:

Assets: Home, rental properties, investments and pension Liabilities: Mortgages Income: $107,355

Assets: Home, rental properties, investments and pension Liabilities: Mortgages Income: $107,355

Personal:

Married to Shanda, two adult children and three school-age children.

Married to Shanda, two adult children and three school-age children.

Campaign fundraising:

Contributions: $33,680 Expenditures: $29,845

Contributions: $33,680 Expenditures: $29,845

On the web:

champion4hernando.com facebook.com/Champion4hernando

champion4hernando.com facebook.com/Champion4hernando

Dave Russell

Profession:

Owner of Pools by David Russell Inc.

Owner of Pools by David Russell Inc.

About the candidate:

A 35-year resident of Hernando County, Russell, 61, has owned his pool company for 34 years. He served as a state representative from 1998 to 2006 and a county commissioner from 2006 to 2014. He previously served in District 3. He has been a member of numerous organizations, including the Economic Development Commission, the Aviation Authority, the YMCA board, the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce and the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council.

A 35-year resident of Hernando County, Russell, 61, has owned his pool company for 34 years. He served as a state representative from 1998 to 2006 and a county commissioner from 2006 to 2014. He previously served in District 3. He has been a member of numerous organizations, including the Economic Development Commission, the Aviation Authority, the YMCA board, the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce and the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council.

Education:

Completed high school in Birmingham, Ala.

Completed high school in Birmingham, Ala.

Platform:

Russell wants to refocus economic development efforts by providing a dedicated economic development director for the county and enhancing educational training programs. He also wants to balance growth versus capacity, keep clean water resources a priority and keep local government small, effective and accountable.

Russell wants to refocus economic development efforts by providing a dedicated economic development director for the county and enhancing educational training programs. He also wants to balance growth versus capacity, keep clean water resources a priority and keep local government small, effective and accountable.

Why are you the best choice for this position?

"I have the experience, institutional knowledge, leadership skills and proven track record to be an effective commissioner,'' he said. Russell also noted, "I have been committed to making Hernando a better place to live for over 30 years, advocating through elected office as well as volunteer work.''

"I have the experience, institutional knowledge, leadership skills and proven track record to be an effective commissioner,'' he said. Russell also noted, "I have been committed to making Hernando a better place to live for over 30 years, advocating through elected office as well as volunteer work.''

What is your opinion on impact fees?

"Impact fees should be balanced with market and economic conditions, demand for housing and capacity requirements.''

"Impact fees should be balanced with market and economic conditions, demand for housing and capacity requirements.''

What should the county do to improve police and fire services and how?

"I have a track record here. I fought to consolidate Spring Hill Fire with Hernando County Fire, the communications center and more. The sheriff has done a good job running the jail, the emergency operations center and animal services, saving the county hundreds of thousands. I would like to open dialogue with the sheriff and fire officials to do more.''

"I have a track record here. I fought to consolidate Spring Hill Fire with Hernando County Fire, the communications center and more. The sheriff has done a good job running the jail, the emergency operations center and animal services, saving the county hundreds of thousands. I would like to open dialogue with the sheriff and fire officials to do more.''

Assets/liabilities/ income:

Assets: Home, farm equipment, antique vehicles and investments Liabilities: Auto loan Income: $134,364

Assets: Home, farm equipment, antique vehicles and investments Liabilities: Auto loan Income: $134,364

Personal:

Married to Michele, two grown sons and four grandchildren.

Married to Michele, two grown sons and four grandchildren.

Campaign fundraising:

Contributions: $36,160 Expenditures: $34,807

Contributions: $36,160 Expenditures: $34,807

On the web:

daverussellhernandocountycommission.com RUS0432@MSN.com Facebook: David Russell public figure

daverussellhernandocountycommission.com RUS0432@MSN.com Facebook: David Russell public figure