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Fresh Squeezed Politics - March On Politics Blog

Madden drops out of County Commission race

Posted Mar 12, 2010 by Christian Wade

Updated Mar 12, 2010 at 01:48 PM

RUSKIN Citing a lackluster fund-raising campaign, Republican candidate Anne Madden said she has decided to bow out of the race for a seat on the Hillsborough County Commission in the November elections.

“No matter how good the message, it takes money to get it out there,” the Ruskin businesswoman wrote in a press release.

That leaves Republican Trey Rustmann and Democrat John Dingfelder as the two remaining contenders for the District 1 seat currently occupied by Rose Ferlita, who is widely expected to run for mayor of Tampa in the spring 2011 elections.

According to her most recent campaign finance filing, Madden had about $8,100 in cash and in-kind contributions. Rustmann, has more than $17,000 in cash contributions. Dingfelder has more than $52,000 in cash contributions.

Here is her release:

For the past several months I have been actively pursuing election to the District 1 seat for the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. I have not met the fund raising goals I set for this effort. No matter how good the message, it takes money to get it out there. After much prayer and reflection I have decided to withdraw from the race.

The issues remain. We must have a County Commission that recognizes the needs of the business community. We need jobs and adequate basic infrastructure. You have told me every day of instances when local government has interfered with your ability to responsibly conduct your business. There must be a better way forward than to continue to punish citizens who try to be responsible and follow the rules.

At this point in our economic lives we need elected representatives who make rules based on science and not on fear. We need individuals who will take responsibility for the effects their decisions have on the citizens. We need to elect people who pour themselves into doing the job they are elected to do. I am tired of electing people who spend their time running for the next election instead of doing their job.

We need to spend more time discussing exactly what we want our government to do, what exactly that costs, and the least onerous, most equitable way to pay for it.

So, again, thank you for your support, your kindness and your good wishes.

Sincerely,

Anne Madden

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