Storms gets a primary opponent
An attorney from Valrico has filed to run against Ronda Storms for state senate. Paul Phillips registered as a Republican for the District 10 seat which covers parts of Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.
Storms came into prominence as a Hillsborough County Commissioner when she led the fight to ban any recognition of gay pride (little g, little p) in the county. She then used that fame to get elected to the Tampa area state senate seat in 2006. She nows chairs the Senate committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, the committee to which a bill to repeal Florida's ban on gay adoption has been referred to the last several years. The bill was heard in that committee in 2005 but has not been heard in subsequent years under Storms' leadership.
Phillips has formerly served as treasurer for the Hillsborough County Republican party. He says he wants to run to give Republican voters an alternative to the socially conservative storms. According to The Buzz:
"He said he wants to take some his business expertise to Tallahassee and not waste time on laws that infringe on personal liberties -- such as forcing people to wear seatbelts. "When you get too far into social issues you necessarily end up at censorship," Phillips said. More important are such such as property taxes, property insurance and help for business owners."
Storms is welcoming the challenge. "People should run. It helps the process. It helps voters," she said. She also said anyone who's not happy with the way government is run should throw their hat in the ring. I agree, Senator.
