Simpson Challenging 18-Term Incumbent

By CARLOS MONCADA

Published: Oct 11, 2006

DUNEDIN - Some folks might say that Samm Simpson is biting off more than she can chew.

A political newcomer who had never sought public office before, Simpson set her sights high for her first campaign: She's running for a seat in Congress.

Not just any seat. Simpson is challenging 10th U.S. House District Congressman C.W. Bill Young, an 18-term incumbent so entrenched that he has not faced a serious challenger since 1992.

"People need to know there is choice in this election," the 52-year-old grandmother from Dunedin said.

Simpson was able to qualify for the Nov. 7 ballot by gathering 4,088 petition signatures with the help of volunteers, rather than pay what she called a "reprehensible" entry fee of $9,276.

Like many Democratic candidates challenging Republican incumbents, Simpson is hoping that public disillusionment with the GOP-led Congress and President Bush will translate into votes for her.

'I Had To Do Something'

Born in Iowa, she moved to Florida for a television job in 1982. The single mother worked as a marketing executive for Raymond James & Associates from 1984 to 2001.

She also has managed radio and television programs for Pinellas County government. She currently hosts a monthly television show, "Media is Propaganda," on the county's public access channel.

Simpson said she decided to run for Congress after listening to the president's state of the union speech in January.

"Our country is in such dire straits," she said. "I had to do something to help save my country."

She cited such issues as the war in Iraq, global warming, America's dependence on fossil fuels, the lack of affordable health care for seniors, veterans and the working poor, and the widening gap between rich and poor.

'Winning Is … Helping People'

The latest campaign finance reports show she has raised $9,189 in contributions, with $1,992 cash on hand. Young's campaign has $475,823 cash on hand, his reports show.

Yet Simpson said the financial chasm doesn't matter because she is running a grass-roots campaign for the 10th Congressional District, which generally includes Pinellas County south of Clearwater, plus Dunedin and Palm Harbor.

"I kind of expand the definition of winning," she said. "Winning is also helping people to understand the truth. That is winning in addition to winning a seat and being able to change course in America."

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 823-3412 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.