Hillsborough County's First Openly Gay Commissioner Swearing-In Draws Record Crowd

[Political Tiger]

BRIEF: Beckner Swearing-In Draws Record Crowd

Nov. 19--TAMPA -- It wasn't exactly Barack Obama at Grant Park, but observers agreed Tuesday's swearing-in of Kevin Beckner as Hillsborough County's first openly gay commissioner was historic.

"It's people opening their minds," said Circuit Court Clerk Pat Frank. "They're welcoming change, so it is Obama-like."

Also sworn in were Commissioners Ken Hagan and Al Higginbotham, both re-elected Nov. 4. Observers said it was the largest crowd ever for a commission investiture ceremony,

Beckner thanked supporters, including Gertrude Johanson, 96, who collected 400 signatures to put him on the ballot.

http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews+articleid_2812585.html

[Subtropical]

1. The crowds in both places were of people making a statement:

a statement of repudiation of the politics of what came before.
In Hillsborough County, where Beckner did not campaign as a "gay candidate," the people were repudiating the Storms/Blair political template of
obstruction and divisiveness. Beckner offered a low-key "adult" demeanor, suggesting a no-drama competence that will address the real everyday issues that
affect all our county's citizens.
The Ralph Hughes era of kingmaking is over, finally!