Tampa – Mark Nash is a familiar name in Hillsborough County politics. The Brandon native was a key strategist in Commissioner Kevin Beckner’s successful 2008 campaign and also campaigned with Kathy Castor when she first sought her statewide position as Florida’s 14th District representative in 2007.
Now, two years after an unsuccessful bid for the District 4 seat in 2012, Nash, an openly gay Democrat, has his eyes set upon the countywide District 7 seat. That seat is currently held by Mark Sharpe, who cannot seek re-election due to term limits.
“I ran in east Hillsborough (in 2012) for a couple of reasons,” Nash explained. “It started the conversation about my being involved in the commission and it’s where I’m from and where I grew up. It made sense to connect with the people who have been in my life since I was a child.”
This countywide seat gives a new set of opportunities to Nash, who had a successful career with the Gillette company and Publix Supermarkets before entering into the political realm.
“We have a commission that has consistently rubber-stamped growth and part of the developer community’s responsibility is to pay its fair share for infrastructure,” said Nash. “The county has lessened that amount of responsibility and the bulk of infrastructure has fallen on taxpayers.”
Nash estimates that the county is $10-$14 billion behind on its road needs, which he says is hurting the quality of life here.
“We’re at a perfect storm,” he said. “The Veterans is under construction, I-275 is under construction and there’s a disconnect of point A to Point B and the poor evolution of our neighborhoods.”
Transportation and transit, Nash said, is directly tied to economic opportunities and job growth. He mentioned Central Florida’s newly operational Sunrail system, which has already spurred a surge in new commercial construction and attracted the attention of developers and corporations.
“The community of central Florida is taking transit and the future seriously,” Nash said. “We haven’t taken that step here and the reason why there’s a roadblock here is poor leadership on transit—and Commissioner Al Higginbotham is exhibit A.”
Higginbotham is currently serving his last term as the county’s District 4 commissioner. The Republican is also seeking the District 7 countywide seat. Nash and Higginbotham could face off in the November election if they both win their respective primaries Aug. 26.
Nash is hopeful for his campaign this year.
“There are 61,000 more registered Democrats in this county than the other party, that’s an 8% advantage,” Nash said. “But in these non-presidential election years, we lose turnout and Democrats tend to not show up. That’s a cycle we have to change if we want to elect capable, competent people.”
Nash will face Patricia Kemp in the August primary. Kemp is a local civic activist who is the founder of the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association.
She, like Nash, is an advocate for LGBT equality. That’s refreshing for a county race with a less than perfect record on LGBT issues, according to Nash.
“Diversity is a strength and we should embrace that and use it to our best ability,” Nash said, referring to not only the LGBT community, but ethnic minorities as well. Nash said he doesn’t expect his sexuality to be an issue in the race—in the primary or if he makes it through to the general November election.
“People are going to do and believe what they want to,” said Nash. “I had made it a point to allow my work and the results I’ve brought to this community be the speaking element of who I am as a person. I embrace who I am with regards to my sexual orientation, but I don’t go around saying I’m gay, or I’m this or I’m that.
“I happen to be a gay man, but it is probably the least important thing about who I am as a person.”
Nash is committed to improving Hillsborough County, he said, and while LGBT equality is definitely a part of that he hopes to serve the entire population of Hillsborough, not just Democrats and not just the LGBT community.
“We have to put people in positions to make a difference,” Nash said. “I will continue to fight for everyone in this county. The LGBT community has a friend in me but I’m not just representing them or Democrats. We don’t drive on Republican roads or stop at Democratic stop signs. What we create works for everybody or it works for nobody. Hillsborough should be leading, not following.”
The District 7 seat is countywide, meaning all registered voters can participate. Residents must be registered by July 25 and may do so by visiting VoteHillsborough.org.
“There is a big push this year to vote by mail,” Nash said. “And it’s important to remember we’re voting for more than just the governor of the state. I want to make sure voters vote all the way down the ballot and are educated on the candidates. It’s important.”
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