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Can you say 'status quo' in Spanish?

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Joe Henderson

jhenderson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 23, 2012

Hillsborough County is home for approximately 306,000 Hispanics from a total population of 1.2 million, yet there are no Hispanics on the county commission. That seems curious, and it ought to change, and Commissioner Les Miller thought he had the answer.

He has been the champion of changing the system of selecting commissioners for three at-large seats and four single districts. At the meeting Wednesday, he made an impressive argument to hold a hearing on creating a fifth single-member district weighted toward Hispanics. Under his plan, only two of the seats would be elected countywide.

Miller drew applause. He had support from Hispanics. He had everything he needed to make it happen, except the votes. The commission voted 5-2 — two Democrats aye, five Republicans nay — in favor of keeping things just the way they are, and I was puzzled by that for a couple of minutes. I mean, everyone wants things to be fair.

* * * * *It doesn't have to end here, though.

With the numbers they have, Hispanics would be a powerful voting bloc. With sufficient time to mobilize, there's no reason a Hispanic candidate wouldn't be formidable in a countywide race. That might be the better strategy anyway. Settling for one district when they potentially could do better may be shortsighted.

Miller's argument is that the county's system, in place since 1983, is outdated. The population has doubled since then, and Hispanic growth has been especially strong. He wanted to create a district where Hispanics make up nearly 40 percent of the residents, likely ensuring an election outcome in their favor. "It's time for a change," he said.

Besides, he argued, increasing the number of single-member districts would bring voters throughout the county closer to their commissioners. I thought that was his best point, frankly. A commissioner from your general neighborhood is likely to be more responsive to local concerns than someone from, say, Carrollwood trying to field a complaint from Brandon.

"I think that carries weight," Republican Commissioner Mark Sharpe said, but then he raised a legitimate concern about gerrymandering. Now, gerry is always in the mind of the manderer, so lines drawn to the benefit of current commissioners may seem just fine, but tinkering with them might manipulate an election.

That would be bad, especially if you're the politician gerrymandered out of office.

* * * * *There was another compelling argument against changing the rules. Voters currently get a say in choosing a majority of the seven-member commission: the three at-large representatives and the one from their own district. That would have changed under Miller's plan, since only two commissioners would be at large.

Whatever your viewpoint, the reality is this: The system is not going to change. But there are three commissioners who hold countywide seats: Sharpe, Ken Hagan and Kevin Beckner (who voted with Miller).

With a base almost certain to grow, Hispanic candidates should be a force in future countywide elections.

Nothing that happened Wednesday changes that.

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