If state Rep. Bill Heller isn’t worried yet, he didn’t see what I saw Thursday night at Jeff Brandes’ campaign kick-off at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. What I saw was 150 or so mostly young, but all politically active District 52 voters, including St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster and Ed Montanari. What I saw was a hungry, well-funded, well-organized candidate who is not on vacation in North Carolina, like certain incumbent state representatives. What I saw was a hard-working candidate who canvassed my neighborhood on Saturday, planting several yard signs along high-traffic 40th Avenue. What I saw was a candidate who could ride the Republican tide to an upset victory.
And what I didn’t see?
What I haven’t seen is the state Democratic party getting its stuff together to protect House Districts 51 and 52. What I haven’t seen is the Democratic party’s political allies putting its own troops on the ground in Tampa Bay.
What I didn’t see…what I haven’t seen is an organized re-election effort for Bill Heller.
