Vietnam Vet To Face Off Against Fasano

A Vietnam veteran and businessman from New Port Richey handily won a clash between two political novices on Tuesday night for the chance to unseat one of the state's most powerful Republican lawmakers.
Fred Taylor, a 60-year-old New Port Richey resident, had 69.6 percent of the vote by press time in the Democratic primary contest for the state Senate District 11 seat. His opponent, 21-year-old college student Richard Skandera, had 30 percent.
In Hernando, Taylor took 63 percent - or 1,071 of 1,693 total votes with 53 of 56 precincts reporting as of press time.
Taylor's victory will pit him against Mike Fasano of New Port Richey, who has held the seat since 2002, and 22-year-old Green Party candidate Sarah Roman, also of New Port Richey.
Taylor couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Both Taylor and Skandera pledged to bring a fresh perspective to Tallahassee free from political ties to lobbyists and special interests.
The owner of a business brokerage firm who earned three Purple Hearts while serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Taylor touted his life experience.
Skandera said he learned plenty in the "cut-throat" student senate at the University of Central Florida, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in anthropology.
The state Democratic Party threw its financial support behind Taylor.
On the campaign trail, Taylor said Citizens Insurance, the state-run company and insurer of last resort, should get out of the business of fire, water and theft policies and instead cover solely for wind damage.
That, he maintains, would reduce the company's liability and the risk of leaving taxpayers on the hook if a catastrophic storm hits, and would encourage private companies to write more policies.
He also maintains there should be a "bottoms-up" review of property tax exemptions, which he says would likely bring in more income by closing loopholes that wealthy property owners and corporations are using. The review also would reveal ways to ease the burden of the average resident.

State Senate District 11 Democratic Primary
unofficial results with 53 or 56 precincts reporting
Fred Taylor - 7,728 votes (69.6 percent).
Richard Skandera - 3,393 votes (34.4 percent).