Pinellas County Commission candidates are gearing up for the upcoming primary.
In District 2, incumbent Norm Roche, a Republican, wants a second term.
“I love the work. I grew up here, I raised my family here,” said Roche.
Roche said he's against the Greenlight Pinellas proposal. That’s the penny tax increase that would expand bus service, as well as fund a light-rail system. Voters will vote on that later this year.
Roche also wants to curb homelessness, and for the commission to be accountable with its spending.
"I'll stand on my convictions. I'll look for reasonable compromise if we can find it. Sometimes we do; I've offered my share that's for sure. But sometimes we don't, and I'll stand on them. I'm not a go-along-to-get-along kind of guy,” said Roche.
Running against Roche, is Republican Ed Hooper. Term limited out of his seat as state representative, the former city commissioner and former firefighter said he isn't finished. Hooper's also against Greenlight Pinellas.
One of Hooper’s top priorities is assisting employers and bringing in new jobs.
"In this county, we have so many employers that are defense-contract related, and now that we don't have Congressman Young to help make sure our employers get the contracts that they need, there's a great danger that we're going to lose a lot of really high-tech manufacturing jobs and employers to other parts of the country,” he said.
Another goal of Hooper’s is beach re-nourishment.
"We have to keep our eye on federal appropriations and state appropriations to help us keep those beaches what they are and attracting people from all over the planet," said Hooper.
In commission District 6, the primary will actually decide who gets the seat, because the only two candidates running are both Republican. All registered voters in that district can vote.
Incumbent John Morroni is seeking his 4th term. One of his priorities is providing county services to veterans.
"We help thousands of veterans a year, but we're funding it this year more than ever because of what's been going on throughout the country," said Morroni.
Morroni supports Greenlight Pinellas.
"We're the only area in the state of Florida that doesn't have an integrated transit system. There's people who can ride the bus at 6 o’clock, but when they get off of work there's no buses," said Morroni.
Running against him in the primary, is business owner and investor Tom Rask.
"I feel that government is now for special interest here in Pinellas county," said Rask.
Rask said he feels Morroni's held the seat for too long. He's against Greenlight Pinellas.
"We don't have the population density for light rail to work, there are a number of other factors and it all adds up to this plan is aimed at shifting billions of dollars from poor and middle class people to special interests," said Rask.
In District 4, there are 7 Republican candidates on the ballot; Dave Eggers, Johnny Johnson, Tim Keffalas, Wanda Kimsey, Macho Liberti, Peter Nehr, and Jim Ronecker.
Voters will weigh in and have their say on who will sit on the commission come Tuesday, August 26th.