DiMaio on why Hillsborough Democrats continue to flounder listen

Tags: 2008 election, Kevin Beckner, Brian Blair, Hillsborough County Commission

The big story in Florida and the Tampa Bay area is the lack of coattails for Barack Obama.

The Illinois senator took Hillsborough, Pinellas and nearly won Sarasota, counties that have all gone Republican in recent elections. He also swamped John McCain in Orange County, on the eastern side of the critical I-4 Corridor.

Despite that success, down ballot candidates with an R attached to their name did much better than Democrats in a variety of state and local races. In Pinellas County, Republicans dominated – and the same thing happened in Hillsborough County.

Victor DiMaio is a Democratic Party consultant in Tampa. WMNF spoke with him today about some of the results in the County – including a rare shining moment for local Democrats - Kevin Beckner apparently winning his race against Republican Brian Blair. Beckner is openly gay, though he rarely discussed during the campaign.

DiMaio told WMNF earlier this year he thought it was a mistake for Beckner to be open running in Hillsborough County.