Councilman Joins Democratic Party

By NICOLA M. WHITE The Tampa Tribune

Published: Mar 7, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - Six months ago, Luis Lopez was touting the Republican Party and saying he could bring more Latino voters into the fold.

In September, he even threw his name into the mix of Republican contenders trying to replace former state Rep. Ken Littlefield.

The Zephyrhills city councilman recently had a change of heart, though, and changed his affiliation to the Democratic Party last month.

"I felt the Democratic Party had more to offer in trying to help me in my causes," Lopez said. "They're giving me a lot of moral support, a lot of guidance.

"Even though I spent 20 years in the military and I was a die-hard Republican, I felt let down."

For example, when Lopez submitted his name to replace Littlefield, he said he didn't feel he was taken seriously.

Last year, Lopez, 44, slid into his council seat unopposed, becoming the city's first Hispanic politician. The social worker and retired member of the Air Force had been registered as an independent since 2003 and as a Republican before then, he said.

Over the years, Lopez said he felt his political opinions shifting toward more socially liberal standpoints.

"I'm not a total liberal," he said. "I'm not a Jesse Jackson kind of liberal."

In Zephyrhills, council members hold nonpartisan posts, but party affiliation can matter - especially close to election time.

This year, for example, the Republican Party of Pasco has donated $250 to Councilman Danny Burgess' re-election campaign, according to paperwork filed Tuesday at city hall.

Party affiliation also plays a role when a council member seeks higher office. Last year, when former Councilwoman Cathi Compton unsuccessfully ran for the Pasco County School Board, she had the backing of the local GOP.

Alison Morano, chairwoman of Pasco's Democratic Party, said she has been impressed with Lopez and is glad to have him on her party's side.

"I'm thrilled that he'll come over," she said. "He's already said that he'll work for the Democratic Party; he'll work for us. I love that."

As for the party helping out Lopez when he's up for re-election next year, Morano said the local Democratic Party does not get involved with nonpartisan races.

If Lopez ran for higher office, that would be another story. Lopez said he is focusing on the Zephyrhills City Council but hasn't ruled out anything.

Lopez's switch to the Democratic Party bucks the trend in recent years of local politicians joining the GOP. In 2005, Dade City Commissioner Steve Van Gorden switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP. In 2002, former Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning and former county Commissioner Steve Simon also left the Democratic Party.

Pasco County's Republicans represent 40 percent of the county's registered voters. Democrats make up 36 percent.