3 Applicants Contend For Court Clerk

By JULIA FERRANTE The Tampa Tribune

Published: Oct 2, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - A year and three months before Clerk of the Circuit Court Jed Pittman's scheduled retirement, three candidates already are lined up to take his place.

Pittman's chief deputy, Republican Paula O'Neil, joined two others in the race Monday, filing paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections Web site. Official qualifying for the Nov. 4, 2008, election is June 16-20.

O'Neil planned to take the day off Monday and announce to her staff that she is seeking the clerk's post. Also running: lawyer Robert Altman, a Democrat who lost a challenge to Pittman in 2004, and real estate broker Greg Armstrong, a Republican. The clerk is elected countywide to a four-year term.

Pittman, 65, first took office as clerk in 1977. He called O'Neil "very competent" and "eager" and said she has cut costs in his office and is pursuing a doctorate.

The new clerk will take office Jan. 1, 2009. In addition to overseeing court records, clerks of the circuit court in Florida act as county treasurer, recorder, auditor, finance officer and ex-officio clerk of the county commission, according to Pittman's Web site.

A handful of other candidates have declared their intent to run for re-election or for other offices. They include incumbent Property Appraiser Mike Wells, Superintendent of Schools Heather Fiorentino and County Commissioner Jack Mariano.

For more information about the candidates or to view campaign reports, go to the elections Web site, www.pascovotes.com.

Reporter Julia Ferrante can be reached at (813) 948-4220 or jferrante@tampatrib.com.