Foster, Ford in final push

ST. PETERSBURG - By Tuesday night, St. Petersburg's next mayor will be selected. The two candidates are both lawyers, both former city council members, and both hoping for the best tomorrow.

Here's another shared descriptor: they're both tired. Their campaigns, which actually started about a year ago, are now in their final hours. And while there are differences between these candidates, their activities are also mirror images.

St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Bill Foster spent part of the day cutting last-minute recordings for robotic phone calls.

Opponent Kathleen Ford visited a child services center.

"We'll stay on the phones, and wave signs, and just make sure that everyone realizes there a very important election tomorrow," Foster said.

"Phone banking, commercials, and more sign waving and canvassing, just trying to get out there," Ford said.

Both are life-long residents of St. Petersburg, both with law degrees and city council experience -- and both with campaign machines.

"When you're in a campaign, you're surrounded by folks who share similar values and so that has really been heartwarming," Ford said.

"We have a great organization, great support from the people of the city, and we're very optimistic about tomorrow," Foster said.

The only real misstep belonged to Kathleen Ford, who made what some called an inappropriate comment on a radio talk show.

It became a subject she refused to talk about, despite a claim to openness and transparency.

"I've been open and accessible to the voters. That's who I've been trying to catch…and you know I have been out there with a lot of the press," Ford said.

And it gave Foster an unexpected shot.

"I've made mistakes in this, but I don't run from the media. You own them," Foster said.

In this final push, Foster focuses on style.

"Differences in style and judgment, and differences on really understanding the great diversity we have in the city," Foster said.

Ford keeps her eye on the money issues.

"In this economy, I don't think we can afford more of the same. Those property taxes have just been too high, too high for too long," Ford said.

And by Wednesday, one of these two people will start planning to take over St. Pete city hall.

Tomorrow will have one big difference between the candidates: Foster plans to vote at noon at his local precinct. Ford is finished, though -- she used an absentee ballot.