When does a politician’s popularity become a liability? When it is Rep. Mike Fasano, who represents his constituents so well, they don’t want him to leave.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Fasano wants to take over the Pasco tax collector post from Mike Olson, who died last month after holding office for 32 years.
After the announcement, Fasano was flooded with emails from residents, pleading him to stay in the Florida House. One email told him the county needs him “up in Tallahassee.”
Now Fasano is gathering support from some Pasco leaders for the county job, with a letter to Gov. Rick Scott signed by State Sens. John Legg and Wilton Simpson, House Speaker Will Weatherford, as well as the names of Elections Supervisor Brian Corley, Superintendent Kurt Browning, Clerk of Court Paula O’Neil, Property Appraiser Mike Wells and U.S. Rep Gus Bilirakis.
Scott will soon make the appointment replacing Olson.
In addition to signing the letter, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco sent a letter of his own. Nocco praised Fasano as a leader “whose outlook, strengths and desire to serve match the needs of a Tax Collector.”
