Swanson Stresses Conservative Ideals

By RAY REYES The Tampa Tribune

Published: Aug 14, 2006

TAMPA - Brad Swanson didn't hanker for a Hollywood lifestyle, though his father, Ted, worked in the movie industry as a production manager. Swanson said he never aspired to act, even after meeting stars Harrison Ford and Bill Murray on sets for the films "Witness" and "Caddyshack."

All he ever wanted to do, Swanson said, was become a family man and a businessman. Plus, his father's main responsibility of hiring work crews and managing their budgets wasn't that exciting.

"It's not that glamorous," Swanson said. "It was the real side of the business."

Through it all - the exposure to Hollywood as an adolescent and a brief flirtation with competitive downhill skiing as a young adult - Swanson's conservative ideals remained intact.

"I grew up with a real belief that America is great and that opportunity and responsibility rests in the hands of its citizens," Swanson said. "I have a passion for smaller government."

Swanson has centered his campaign for the Hillsborough County Commission's District 1 seat around his "core conservative beliefs." He doesn't hesitate to say he's a Christian who regularly attends Bible study and is an advocate of protecting traditional family values.

Swanson also doesn't hesitate to criticize his opponents when he feels they are far to the left of the core beliefs that have shaped his life and perspectives.

In thousands of campaign letters he sent to Republican voters last month, Swanson blasted two-term Tampa City Councilwoman Rose Ferlita for what he said was her "liberal voting record as a city council member" and her "proactive role in defending local gay issues." Ferlita also is in the race to become the Republican nominee for the District 1 seat in the Sept. 5 primary.

In the letters, Swanson included a St. Petersburg Times story about a gay pride parade in downtown St. Petersburg. It wasn't a theatrical tactic, Swanson said, but a way to show voters what type of groups are supporting Ferlita. Parade organizers said they have no record of Ferlita attending or endorsing their event.

Ferlita said she tries to steer clear of "mudslinging," yet expects more before the primary election.

"No doubt," Ferlita said. "But you have to be thick-skinned. This will be won or lost on the issues."

Swanson said he has no regrets about printing and distributing the letters.

"All we did was share voting records," Swanson said. "We wanted to make sure we communicated our message."

Part of that message is common sense and family values, Swanson said. At 35, he's the youngest candidate running for District 1, but Swanson said his age gives him "a fresh perspective" to get to voters.

If elected, Swanson said, he will do his part to ensure the county takes control of its budget by cutting expenses and not raising taxes, and to work with other commissioners on planning issues to fully capitalize on the county's "geographic potential" in terms of growth and development.

"We're humming along," Swanson said. "But I believe Hillsborough County is at a tipping point."

Although he lived in Miami and California, where his father worked for movie studios, and in Oregon, where he learned how to ski, Swanson said he considers Tampa his hometown.

"The community grows on you," Swanson said. "It's not the big city that it looks like at first glance. It's really a big, small town. A lot of big cities don't have that feeling."

BRAD SWANSON

Age: 35

Education: Bachelor's degree in history, University of South Florida, 1998

Family: Married Meg Goede in 1998; two daughters, ages 5 and 1

Political experience: None

Professional experience: Vice president of marketing and development, ROI Consulting, of Tampa

Campaign Web site: www.votebradswanson.com

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.