District 11 congressional race draws a crowd

MANATEE — A crowd has lined up to challenge incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who is seeking a third term representing District 11.

Her sole rival in the Democratic primary is Tim Curtis, but the Republican primary has attracted several candidates, including Tony Buntyn, Thomas C. Castellano, Mike Prendergast and Eddie Adams Jr.

The district includes Tampa and parts of Hillsborough County; St. Petersburg and parts of Pinellas County; and loops awkwardly through part of Bradenton into Manatee County.

Castor, who was unavailable for comment Friday, says she stands up for middle-class families and small business owners, so all can succeed, and calls herself a “champion for jobs and economic recovery,” according to her campaign website, www.castorforcongress.com.

As an opponent of oil drilling near Florida beaches, the Tampa Democrat has been in the headlines lately discussing the Gulf oil disaster.

She favored legislation designed to hold the oil industry accountable for Gulf cleanup and restoration, strengthen oversight of the drilling industry, and eliminate the current $75 million limit on what an oil company can be required to pay small businesses and individuals for losses during an oil disaster, according to her congressional website, www.castor.house.gov.

“The existing $75 million cap on economic damages is unreasonable and outdated,” Castor is quoted as saying.

She also supports Wall Street reform, protecting jobs and savings, helping small business owners, better consumer protections, and eliminating taxpayer bailouts, according to her campaign.

Her Democratic opponent, Curtis, is a small businessman who operates a United Parcel Service franchise. He advocates free enterprise, economic strength, equal rights, justice and opportunity and a strong national defense, he said.

Explained the retired U.S. Marine Corps’ chief warrant officer: “The reason I’m running boils down to money, machine and media. It’s the voice of the people that is squelched by those three.

“I will continue to walk and talk with the people because that’s the primary reason I’m running — the voice of the people has been purposely ignored.”

He complained about “the irresponsible conduct of this Congress, with respect to spending, accessibility and integrity.” He also advocated a tax code fix and handling health care at the local level.

“Washington’s cookie cutter solutions fail the people every time,” he said.

A Republican seeking the seat is Tony Buntyn, owner of U.S. Cyber Solutions Inc., a small business that counters cyber security threats and specializes in cyber warfare capabilities for the United States and its allies.

Buntyn, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, has served more than 31 years in the Mississippi and Texas air national guards, and the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

He vows to minimize government intrusion in the private sector, which he said “threatens our economy,” and supports a decrease in government spending, tax system reform, secure borders, balanced budget and strong military, he said.