For U.S. Congress: Busansky, Castor, Brown-Waite And Putnam

Published: Oct 18, 2006

Both candidates in Congressional District 9 are hard-working, engaging and reasonable. Still, their personalities could not be more different. Republican Gus Bilirakis is low-key and unassuming. Democrat Phyllis Busansky is a dynamo.

Bilirakis, a state representative, hopes to succeed his father, Mike Bilirakis, who was elected to Congress in 1982 in a district that covers parts of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

The younger Bilirakis prides himself on being a consensus builder and independent-minded. He once voted against vouchers, despite the pressure of the Republican leadership. He says the environment is a chief concern, and he opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He promises to continue his father's focus on veterans affairs.

Bilirakis is an able legislator who probably would do a fine job, but Busansky would bring more energy, passion and ideas to solving the challenges that face this district and the nation.

Busansky was one of the most effective county commissioners ever elected in Hillsborough. We know her to be a natural leader, a good listener and a sharp-minded problem solver. She was a driving force in building a coalition to create - and years later to improve - the county's indigent health care program, which has become a model for the nation.

Busansky, who teaches leadership at Columbia University in New York City, knows how to make government work efficiently. She improved services for seniors as Hillsborough's director of aging services and dramatically reduced welfare rolls as director of Welfare-to-Work.

She wants to help the nation become energy-independent, improve veterans benefits, cut government waste and inefficiencies, and get rid of the deficit. You can expect she'd be a voice of authority on health care too.

In contrast to Bilirakis, who refuses to criticize the Bush administration, Busansky is "furious" about the mismanagement of the war in Iraq. She believes Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should be fired. But she also knows the United States must remain involved to keep Iraq from deteriorating into chaos.

Busanksy would make things happen in Congress, regardless of which party is in power. She is relentless when it comes to solving problems or serving constituents.

For U.S. Congress in District 9, the Tribune endorses Phyllis Busansky.

District 11

Democrat Kathy Castor is the favorite in Congressional District 11, where voters will pick a replacement for Jim Davis. Castor has done an outstanding job as a Hillsborough County commissioner, bringing reason and civility to an often-fractious board. She has been attentive to the needs of businesses, but also has fought to protect neighborhoods and the environment from harmful development. The Tampa lawyer listens to constituents and works tirelessly to find solutions.

Her Republican opponent, Temple Terrace architect Eddie Adams, is likable but has never held public office and is sketchy on the issues.

Castor, who beat a strong field in the Democratic primary, is a moderate who wants to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington. She opposes blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants, favors tax cuts for the middle class and is concerned about small businesses and manufacturing jobs.

She says that the Iraqi army must take over the defense of its country and that American soldiers should be brought home as soon as possible, a stand we hope she will temper. It's important that the United States not abruptly abandon Iraq to the insurgents.

Still, we know Castor does her homework and responds thoughtfully to difficult challenges. She'll diligently represent the district, which covers parts of Hillsborough, south Pinellas and north Manatee counties.

For Congress in District 11, the Tribune endorses Kathy Castor.

District 5

Voters in the 5th Congressional District, which covers all or part of eight counties north of Tampa, including most of Pasco, have a clear-cut choice: They can re-elect an incumbent with a lengthy record of effective government service or turn over the seat to a two-time candidate who has never held political office.

Clearly, voters should return Ginny Brown-Waite, 63, to Washington for a third term.

Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, is a former New York State Senate legislative director, Hernando County commissioner and Florida state senator who has well served her congressional district since 2002. She has worked hard to expand health care services to military veterans and the poor.

Brown-Waite supports the war in Iraq and building a fence along the Mexican border. She votes her conscience, even if it requires opposing the administration, as she did in supporting stem cell research and reimporting prescription drugs. She also objected to legislative interference in the Terri Schiavo case.

Brown-Waite is challenged by Democratic nominee John Russell, a 50-year-old acute care nurse from the Dade City area whose only previous political experience is an unsuccessful run for Congress two years ago. Russell is attempting to capitalize on what he believes is widespread voter discontent, but Brown-Waite's record, experience and trustworthiness have earned her another term.

For Congress in District 5, The Tribune endorses Ginny Brown-Waite.

District 12

In District 12, which covers much of Polk and includes a bit of Hillsborough and Osceola counties, Rep. Adam Putnam is being challenged by two candidates with no party affiliation - former state legislator Joe Viscusi and businessman Ed Bowlin.

This is no contest. Putnam is a rising star in the Republican Party, an articulate and thoughtful advocate for conservative policies. He leads the policy-making arm of the majority party and has the respect of members in both parties. He is uncommonly talented and well-versed in the issues, whether it be immigration or the war in Iraq.

Because he wholeheartedly supports the president, Putnam has done little to lessen the partisan standoff in Washington. His approach to ethics reform also fell short, leaving citizens to rightly believe that when it comes to perks and private planes, politicians consider themselves above the rest.

Still, even those who disagree with his views do not question Putnam's sincerity or hard work. For Congress in District 12, the Tribune endorses Adam Putnam.