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Senate leaders pick Norman over Ambler in District 12 race

Posted Jul 15, 2009 by William March

Updated Jul 15, 2009 at 07:23 PM

Three Republican state Senate leaders, including the future Senate president, have taken sides with Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman over state Rep. Kevin Ambler in the Republican primary for a Tampa Senate seat.

Norman and Ambler are both running for the District 12 seat now held by Victor Crist, R-Tampa, who faces a term limit next year.

Norman got the endorsements of Sens. Mike Haridopolos of Merritt Island, who will be Senate president after the 2010 election; J.D. Alexander of Lake Wales, a key member of the Senate leadership team; and Don Gaetz of Niceville.

Alexander said he’s known Norman for more than a decade. ““He’s been a great commissioner, and he’d make a good senator,” Alexander said.

Asked whether it’s a good idea for Senate leaders to take sides in a primary between two primary Republicans, Alexander said that isn’t unusual, but added that he’s also concerned about holding the seat.

“Given the number of seats that are open next year, it’s probably a wise decision to make a judgment about which candidate is most viable and concentrate our support for that candidate,” he said.

As a future Senate president, Haridopolos is the person most responsible for raising money and recruiting candidates to help Republicans hold their majority in the state Senate.

Democrats have a slight advantage in voter registration in District 12, which includes North Tampa and the University of South Florida area, and extends into much of central and eastern Pasco County.

But Crist has held the seat easily, winning it with a 2-1 margin in 2006 and unopposed in 2002.

Ambler said he doesn’t buy the electability argument.

“I think I’m more electable,” he said. “I’m running to win, and I think I will win.

“My legislative record speaks for itself,” he said. “Commissioner Norman is familiar with local politics, and I’m familiar with state politics and have been helping guide the state through this crisis, as the person holding one of the most important chairmanships in the House, health appropriations.”