Tim Schock’s frustration with not being able to get a debate with Pat Kemp in the Hillsborough County Commission District 6 race has compelled him to get innovative to get out his message.
He’s calling it “Schock talks,” an online series where he discusses transportation and other issues that are listed on his campaign’s Facebook page. There are currently three such videos on the page, and he promises to produce three more in the following week.
In recent weeks, Kemp has opted not to debate Schock in debates proposed by WMNF’s Walter Smith, the Tampa Bay Times, and this reporter (on my weekly WMNF radio show, which airs on Thursday at noon).
Kemp told SPB last week that, “Tim has had several opportunities for debate and he has been a no show.” She added that he also failed to attend a debate in Temple Terrace with more than 100 people in attendance recently.
Schock said Kemp failed to attend an event this past Monday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Temple Terrace. It was organized by HOPE, the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality. The candidates and lawmakers were asked to either say yes or no to a proposal from Commissioner Victor Crist that would establish a Hillsborourgh County trust fund for affordable housing.
“My opponent in this race would prefer to play politics and not show up for events than simply answer questions from our community,” Schock said.
It should be noted that Kemp’s Facebook page has a robust number of videos on it, most recently one where she champions the Cross-Bay Ferry service which will begin running from Tampa to St. Petersburg beginning next week.
