Kevin White: villain, or vilified?

TAMPA - Is he a villain? Or, is it that he's vilified?

Embattled Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White is seeking a second term, despite a tumultuous first.

White has his staunch supporters, who say the sexual harassment he is accused of never happened.

"I know we can be put in positions where things can look compromising or be compromising," White supporter Audrey Green said.

A jury, however, did believe the allegations. Jurors ordered White to pay the young woman, his former aide, $75,000. Then, White's fellow commissioners voted to sue him to recoup almost half a million dollars in legal fees paid by county taxpayers.

But in the neighborhoods, it's a different story. Campaign signs supporting White's re-election in district three are as rampant as the controversy.

"If you call Kevin, Kevin's coming where you are," said White supporter Yvonne Williams. "All my experience with him and the community, he's always been there, trying to help, trying to do something with the community, trying to bring it together, rather than separate it."

White was also criticized for spending thousands of dollars of campaign contributions on expensive dress suits.

University of Tampa Political Scientist Dr. Scott Paine isn't surprised there's still so much support for the former city councilman. Paine says it's a matter of perspective and perception.

"There's a sense that what has happened to Kevin White outside the community, at commission chambers, is a function of people going after him, rather than a function of his own failures," Paine said.

Former State Lawmaker Les Miller is running against White. Miller served 14 years in Tallahassee, including two as Democratic leader in the Senate. His campaigns signs are visible too.

"I respect the fact that he's an ethical person and he has avoided even the appearance of impropriety," said Jeraldine Williams-Shaw, a long-time Miller supporter.

Valerie Goddard is also running for the seat. She's the chair person of the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. The primary winner will face write-in candidate Dwight Bolden in the general election.