Bob SparksOdd numbered years are not a political junkie’s delight. Though millions of Americans may wish otherwise, no U.S. House or Senate members are up for re-election. Florida politicos must satisfy their political appetites through local races or ballot issues.
One Florida campaign clearly worth watching is for mayor of St. Petersburg. While this is officially a non-partisan race, the money and artillery say otherwise.
In the red corner is incumbent Mayor Bill Foster. He is supported by the Chamber of Commerce, Realtors, police and firefighter unions, the Tampa Tribune and Gov. Rick Scott.
In the blue corner is the challenger, former State Rep. Rick Kriseman. He is supported by the West Central Florida AFL-CIO, Democracy for America, Progressive Majority, the Tampa Bay Times, Sen. Bill Nelson and former Gov. Charlie Crist.
The issues are familiar: public safety, education, jobs and economic growth. The candidates also will be grappling with the complicated question of what to do with the vacant St. Petersburg Pier.
One other issue elevates this campaign above the level of a strictly local race. That issue is hardball politics in the truest sense of the word: hardball = baseball.
The future of the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg is in question. Both Foster and Kriseman say they are best suited to ensure the long-term presence of professional baseball in the area.
Despite having one of the best teams in baseball for five or six years, the Rays are losing money because, among other things, they have the worst attendance in baseball. It has become so embarrassing that one might expect the Tropicana Field sound system to start playing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game….Please” during the seventh-inning stretch.
The only logical reason for the poor support is the quality and location of their facility. Fans turn out for a good product and the Rays are a very good product. There is no other explanation.
The Rays have a lease that supposedly keeps them playing at Tropicana Field through 2027. While Foster’s previous stance was to hold the Rays to the lease, both he and Kriseman clearly understand that will not happen.
Both men must know the Rays cannot compete long-term in a facility not built to maximize revenue, even if they weren’t last in attendance. Over the next four years, a new home for the Rays, either in St. Pete or in Tampa, must be under construction or at least in the final stages of design. The mayor must play a lead role.
St. Petersburg’s options are tearing down The Trop and building a new facility on the current site (while finding a temporary home for at least two years), or building on a new site.
If the location issue is resolved, the mayor then must convince citizens to approve taxing themselves and/or tourists and line up some private money, including some from the Rays.
Foster or Kriseman will confront those who argue that paying for a professional sports facility amounts to corporate welfare. The mayor would be the one on more solid ground.
Both Rays’ ownership and management have honored their commitment to the region by putting together a Broadway-quality product led by a Broadway-quality director in Joe Maddon and his staff. They can’t afford, and should not be required, to be playing to a half-empty off-Broadway theater.
Should little progress develop in St. Pete over the next few months, the Rays’ option lies across Tampa Bay.
If a viable option emerges in Tampa, then it would be Hillsborough residents who would have another Raymond James Stadium moment of voting for a new tax.
If St. Petersburg or Tampa is unwilling to partner with the team under the same parameters as nearly every other major league community, then a city outside of the state undoubtedly will express interest. That would be a failure in leadership.
During the last weeks of the campaign, it would be nice to hear from the two candidates how they will lead on the Rays issue. It could make the difference with single-issue voters.
Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, this race will be fun to watch.
Batter up.
