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Hernando Today

Parties Prepare To Pick Leaders

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By TONY MARRERO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2008

Hernando Today

BROOKSVILLE - Jay Rowden and Ana Trinque don't agree on much when it comes to politics.

Rowden, chairman of the Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee, and Trinque, chairwoman of the local Republicans, sit on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

But one thing they do agree on: Chairing a local party is a tough gig.

"It's a grueling job, particularly when you get into a presidential campaign," Rowden said.

"It takes a lot of time away from my business," said Trinque, a Realtor.

Now both parties' executive committees are on the verge of deciding who will lead them into 2010. Both will have elections next month.

Rowden, at the end of his first four-year term, is ready to pass the mantle and several candidates have already expressed interest.

The Republican chairman serves two-year terms. Trinque has served three - running unopposed for the last two. After wavering until late last week, Trinque said Monday she's decided to run again for a fourth.

No one has expressed interest publicly in running, and Trinque said she has had discussions with other voting party members who have indicated they would "love to keep everything the same because they feel what we have is working."

"I wouldn't do it if I didn't know I had the support," Trinque said.

While pulled in one direction by the prospect of spending more time on her business - and the real estate industry that has been "rough going" as of late - Trinque says she wants to carry on the progress the local GOP enjoyed this year.

Republicans took down two Democratic incumbents on the county commission, protected two Republican seats in the state Legislature and Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain won in Hernando County.

"We did our job and worked a lot of coalitions to get it done," Trinque said. "I think we've built a momentum up now we can build from."

Next year will be a relatively quiet one, Trinque said. But 2010, she said, "is going to be rough."

The big prize up for grabs is the governorship. U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite will be up for re-election, and there will be two Republican county commission seats to defend.

The local party is fortunate to have a cohesive executive committee and board that runs "a tight ship," she said.

"There's a good base that can do grassroots again," she said.

Party Vice Chairman Alan Setelius said he looked forward to another two years working with Trinque. Setelius said he had no desire to step into a role that Trinque does so well.

"I think we had a great leadership team together and think we'll be even better in the next two years," Setelius said. "Why change something when we did so well?"

The party is slated to meet and vote for the chairmanship on Dec. 18, but Trinque said that could be moved up to earlier in the month to avoid the holiday crush and ensure there's a quorum present.

Democrats have options
Rowden said he's looking on the bright side of a mostly disappointing election year.

President-elect Barack Obama didn't take Hernando, but local party volunteers had much to do with the good turnouts for absentee and early voting that likely helped push Obama over the edge in Florida, Rowden said.

"We've made a lot of progress there," Rowden said.

Party Treasurer Glenn Claytor said Rowden did what he could.

"I think under the circumstances Jay held up his end," Claytor said. "All the blame can't be put on him. The chairmanship is not a one man show. He had 80 (committee) members and some did more work than others."

Three Democrats have expressed interest in succeeding Rowden.

Clarence "Cy" Wingrove of Brooksville is a retired school principal. Bob Holmes of Brooksville is a retired Army sergeant major and now a fulltime software developer for the county. And B.J. Tipton owns Tipton International, a computer consulting firm in Brooksville.

Holmes headed the Obama Hernando campaign, serves as a precinct chairman and said he got "bit by the bug" and wants to ensure the local party succeeds at the basics that helped Obama win.

"You want to make sure you have a good core program and as many hardworking practitioners as you can get," Holmes said.

Tipton, who chartered the county's Young Democrats, said she was asked to run by some Democrats who were "concerned about the direction we are traveling in." She declined to elaborate beyond saying there have been disagreements in which "a lot of people have gotten their feelings hurt."

"I believe I can in some small way help mend fences and move the party in a positive direction," Tipton said.

Wingrove couldn't be reached for comment.
Rowden watched Holmes on the Obama campaign and said, in his opinion, he is "the far superior of the three."

"He's just tireless, and has a grasp of the dynamics of politics and campaigning," Rowden said. "It's important to have that, because if you don't, it's really hard to accomplish what you want to accomplish."

The party is slated to vote on Dec. 2.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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