Aug. 26 is Primary Election day, and while there is historically low voter turnout for primaries, especially in no-presidential election years, a number of local races have an LGBT element to them.
In Hillsborough County, Democrats Mark Nash and Patricia Kemp are vying for the countywide District 7 seat. Whoever wins the primary will no-doubt face Republican Al Higginbotham. Higginbotham, who currently represents District 4, will be forced out due to term limits and is seeking a new post.
Nash, who is gay, and Kemp, who is gay friendly, have similar ideas on issues concerning transportation, urban sprawl and economics. Higginbotham has a history of voting against LGBT issues, like denying a domestic partnership registry in the county in 2013. Earlier this summer, however, he voted for language amending the county’s human rights ordinance to protect gay and transgender people.
Another race of note to LGBTs in Hillsborough concerns Terry Kemple, the notoriously anti-gay and anti-Muslim activist who is a constant spokesperson against equality advancements in the county. Kemple is seeking the District 4 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board.
That seat is currently held by Stacy White, who is stepping down. Also seeking the position are insurance agent Melissa Snively and certified teacher Dee Prether, an Army vet and newcomer to politics.
In Pinellas County, former firefighter Ed Hooper, who opposes a new tax for light rail in the county, and current commissioner Norm Roche face off for the District 2 County Commission seat. Roche was the only dissenting vote when Pinellas County created its domestic partnership registry.
Whoever wins this race will face Democrat Pat Gerard in November. Gerard is the former mayor of Largo and was a supporter of one-time manager Steve Stanton, who was fired when he announced plans to transition to become Susan Stanton.
And District 6 Republican Commissioner John Morroni is seeking re-election and is challenged by Tom Rask. Since there is no Democratic challenger, this race will decide the election.
Morroni, a long time supporter of the LGBT community, including the county’s domestic partnership registry, is also a supporter of Greenlight Pinellas, a light-rail program. Rask does not support the system and touts “traditional” beliefs on his campaign web site.
