Bob Hackworth Self-Imposed Finance Reform

Bob Hackworth sent this e-mail out to supporters.

Today I filed the final paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections making me an official, qualified candidate in race for Pinellas County Commissioner in District 4. For the first time ever, a Democrat will be on the ballot for this single member seat. Three Republicans, including the ten-year incumbent, Susan Latvala, will compete in a primary to determine who will run against me in the November 2nd general election.

Polling shows that I have an excellent chance of winning in November. I am a hard working candidate with political experience, a record on public issues, and a resume of public service and community leadership.

I have taken a principled self-imposed campaign-finance reform stand by limiting my campaign contributions to $100 or less, and I am accepting not a single dime from lobbyist, developers, or special interests with business before the County Commission.

Some have ridiculed my fundraising. Is it a struggle to compete when you turn down the cash that corrupts the system? You bet it is. But well over a hundred individuals have contributed to my campaign to date and many more will do so in the future. Voters are on the lookout for a candidate who doesn’t confuse politics with public service.

The incumbent has accepted over a hundred $500 checks and most have come from special interests with business before the county. Just this week the County Commission awarded a $2.5M contract to a construction company for a road project. Two $500 checks, one from the owner of that company and one from the business itself, were contributed to Susan Latvala’s campaign. She moved for the approval, never disclosing the contributions, and while it’s not illegal and it happens all the time, let me ask you this: Which candidate will be the leader who will put an end to “politics as usual” and work every day to try to restore integrity, trust, and confidence in our local government?

My campaign is about proving that the message is more important than the money. I believe the $10 checks I get from individuals are much more valuable than the $1000 contribution given to my opponent by a special interest.

But to prove it, I’ll need hundreds of $10 checks and only you can help. My next report is due in July and it will be a real victory if I list more contributors than my opponents - - not more money, just more individual donors. There are over 550 of you in this group. Please contribute $10 online now. Click on the link below and together we can do it!

When did Hackworth become the Russ Feingold of Florida? I have nothing against a candidate only wanting to accept contributions of no more than $100. I have my doubts that Hackworth will have enough money to compete.

Bob Hackworth for District 10

Bob Hackworth is running against incumbant Bill Young. Pushing Rope readers will remember Young's lack of action on the horrible conditions of Walter Reed. Readers will also recall the C.W. Bill Young Reservoir.

"Remember, every time you turn on your water faucet, the water that comes out just might be flowing from the C.W. Bill Young Reservoir that was funded by a Congressional earmark."

C.W. Bill Young

How can we forget, Congressman. Since your vanity project has your name on it.

Hackworth was a city commissioner in Dunedin. He then became Dunedin's Mayor. Hackworth was endorsed in the Democratic primary by the St. Petersburg Times.

Contribute to the Bob Hackworth campaign.

Bob Hackworth on Bill Young's Housing Relief Nay Vote

District 10 congressional candidate Bob Hackworth voices his disapproval of Rep Bill C. W. Young's vote againt the housing relief bill.

(Dunedin, FL)—After threats of a veto to the nation’s most substantial housing bill in decades, President Bush signed the Foreclosure Prevention Act today. This bill provides relief to more than 400,000 homeowners in danger of foreclosure and helps reassure financial markets of the health of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae who control 42% of the nations mortgages. One provision of this Act calls for $300 billion in mortgage relief for troubled homeowners, this will allow these homeowners to transform their high-interest mortgages into government-backed, thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages. The Act also sets a cap of $625,000 on loans made by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which the FHA can insure and allow both institutions to buy back mortgages up to 15% above the median home price. Another provision of the bill gives $3.9 billon to help communities fix-up foreclosed properties.

“With 1.4 million foreclosures, and rising, nationally, and with one home out of 200 in Florida in foreclosure, it is outrageous that Rep Bill C. W. Young, would not support this bill. I find it deplorable that Rep. Young voted against this bill, especially with Florida having such a high mortgage default rate. As our Congressman, he should be trying to help, not hurt during this crisis,” said Mayor Hackworth.

WMNF interviews Hackworth about how he can beat Young. Hackworth tells Arielle Stevenson the election is about change. Hackworth cites his record as Mayor of Dunedin is an asset with voters.

Hackworth is against offshore drilling. He tells WMNF that there will be a negative impact on Florida's beaches. The candidate says he will support a Democratic administration's efforts to end the war in Iraq.