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Hernando Today

Spring Hill Man Files For County Comm. Seat

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: January 22, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - William Kingeter is wasting no time gearing up for the 2010 election.

The Republican filed Tuesday morning with the county supervisor of elections office to run for county commissioner from District 2, hoping to unseat incumbent Rose Rocco some 48 months from now.

Elections Supervisor Annie Williams said she cannot recall anyone tossing their hat in the ring this early.

"He's getting started really, really early," she said.

He is also starting out with controversy.

Kingeter, 70, had already spent money on business cards and campaign flyers. Florida law states a candidate cannot spend money on a campaign until he officially files. And up until 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Kingeter had not done so.

"It is a violation of law," said Williams, who stressed that Kingeter had been provided a packet of information last week instructing him on campaign laws.

And someone has already called him out on it.
Katherine Lambert of Spring Hill, state committeewoman for the Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee, has filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics.

Kingeter admits he has spent about $100 on business cards and flyers and circulated them to about a dozen people to get their reaction.

He said he did not know it was against state election law to do that before officially filing.

The state ethics commission, as is its practice, could neither confirm nor deny the existence of any complaint.

Lambert said she believes it is unethical for Kingeter to start campaigning before properly filing.

"It's just wrong," she said.

Kingeter's reaction: "I don't know why anyone would react in such a manner as to what I would consider lack of knowledge," he said. "This is my first actual experience of my own in running."

Lambert, he said, "is a Democrat and I'm a Republican, so I guess she's doing what she considers to be her job."

Kingeter said he will face whatever penalty he has coming to him.

"I'll have to let the chips fall where they may," he said.

Lambert said she also filed a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission, which will determine whether a violation has occurred. If so, the Commission can levy a fine of up to $1,000 per count.

Rocco said it's Kingeter's option to file this early. She's not worried about it.

"I'm working hard, I'm staying focused and when it comes times for the election, the people will have to decide," she said.

Kingeter said he realizes that 48 months out is a bit early to run for office.

But he believes he has a tough battle against Rocco and wants to start the process now.

"I figure it's a long road but I have a lot of work to do taking on an incumbent, so I'll need extra time," said Kingeter, who was campaign manager for Robert Schenck, when the now-state representative ran for county commissioner.

In his campaign literature, Kingeter says he is a U.S. Navy veteran who has held a variety of top government posts, including a deputy chief with the Newark Fire Department, former fire inspector, code enforcement director, zoning administrator, building inspector, planning board member, emergency management coordinator and college instructor.

Kingeter, a self-proclaimed "spending watchdog" has been active in the local Republican Party for the past nine years.

He is running on a platform of "bureaucratic accountability."

Although he is semi-retired, Kingeter took time to secure a Realtor's license just last week, he said.

If elected, Kingeter said he will work to reduce frivolous government spending. But his platform will take shape as the election goes along. After all, he has almost two years to get ready for it.

"All my years as a bureaucrat, I figure I'll be on an equal footing for any bureaucrat who works for the county," he said.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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