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Fiorentino Gearing Up For Re-election Bid

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: October 13, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Analysis

Are Pasco residents witnessing another long tenure taking shape in the school superintendent's office?

With Republican incumbent Superintendent Heather Fiorentino ready to kick off her re-election campaign next week, political observers are wondering if Democrats will find a challenger for the 2008 contest.

Previous superintendents tended to stay a long, long time. Thomas Weightman, a Republican, held the office for more than 20 years, followed by Democrat John Long who held the post for eight years. Both men often ran unopposed.

Fiorentino won't count 50 candles on her birthday cake until January, so she's young enough to serve for quite a few more years.

"According to my daughter, I'm quite old," Fiorentino said with a hearty laugh.

"There's no dynasty," the incumbent remarked. "As long as the people allow me to serve, I hope to continue to do so. I have a passion for it. I love the job. I have wonderful staff.

"I'm hoping not to have a primary" in 2008, Fiorentino continued. "I'm going to be optimistic and hope I won't have an opponent."

Fiorentino plans an Oct. 17 campaign kick-off fundraiser. The event is free and open to the public from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club in New Port Richey.

"We actually have a few people considering a run for school superintendent," said Alison Morano, chairwoman of the Pasco County Democratic Executive Committee.

"The Democrats are strong," Morano asserted. "There's a great deal of unhappiness and unrest with incumbents" in general, she said.

The 2008 election will serve as a "correction" to Republican dominance in recent years, Morano believes.

"Every election cycle is a whole new ball game," she said.

The Democrats' United We Stand fundraising dinner last night should help fill the campaign coffers, Morano noted. Some 200 tickets had been sold as of Wednesday

The Pasco Republican Party, however, has a big lead in amassing political contributions at this early point.

The Pasco GOP has collected about $63,970 as of Wednesday, Pasco Supervisor of Elections files show.

The Pasco Democrats had $11,363 before last night's fundraising dinner.

Bill Bunting, the longtime Pasco County Republican Executive Committee chairman, predicts the Democrats might field a candidate against Fiorentino.

"I don't know who's going to be competent enough to run against her," Bunting commented. "Why waste their money? They're better off spending it anywhere else."

"I think (Fiorentino) has gained the respect of her colleagues. They were critical of her education background. She's taken the bull by the horns" and people now seem happy with her leadership.

"With the teachers union, it doesn't make any difference if there isn't a 'D' (for Democrat) next to the name" of a candidate on the ballot, Bunting concluded.

United School Employees of Pasco has endorsed both Democrats and Republicans in the past, Lynne Webb, president of the union, said. The political arm of USEP is nonpartisan, she emphasized.

USEP backed Chuck Rushe, Fiorentino's rival in the 2004 Republican primary, Webb recalled. The organization made no endorsement in the 2004 general election.

"We're going to wait and see if there's any opposition," Webb said about the race. It's too early to talk about endorsements.

"There's been a number of bumps in the road" during Fiorentino's first term, Webb said. Some of it is due to external factors, such as state revenue shortfalls, she said.

Also, when Long retired as superintendent, a lot of veteran long-term School District employees retired shortly after him, Webb noted.

In addition, Rushe, the School District's chief financial officer, died of cancer in 2006.

In separate interviews, both Webb and Fiorentino mentioned some of the same key issues in 2008.

Pasco's student population growth continues to spiral up while revenues in the future remain shaky, they say.

"We've made some great strides," Fiorentino reflected about her first term.

The School District has to balance fiscal responsibility while finding ways to reward its workers, she added. She is keen on a Career Academy program that trains students for the workforce after graduation, or preps them for a college major.

The superintendent presided over the opening of 13 new schools within three years, a press release for Fiorentino's Oct. 17 campaign event notes.

The release also declares: "The first term ... is distinguished by strong, servant-style leadership, fiscal responsibility and a strategic vision for ensuring the success of all students," in part. "Heather Fiorentino has laid a solid foundation for student success."

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