Longtime politician runs into voter anger

CHARLOTTE COUNTY - Voter anger in Tuesday's primary election triggered surprising consequences for Mac Horton, a well-known and well-liked politician who lost a bid to keep his supervisor of elections post.

Paul Stamoulis, a political newcomer and Horton's neighbor, won by 3 percentage points against Horton, who had not lost an election since 1974.

Without general election opposition, Stamoulis, a Republican, won the office.

Local political experts attributed the upset to voters' anger over the county's financial turmoil, budgeting problems, the controversial Murdock Village redevelopment and high taxes. Besides Horton, Charlotte County Commission incumbents Tom D'Aprile and Tom Moore were ousted, while a third, Tricia Duffy, barely held on as two challengers split the anti-incumbent vote.

"They voted against incumbents and they really didn't care who they voted for," said Tom Dignam, an Englewood historian and owner of Key Realty and Key Insurance.

Republican Bob Starr, who unseated incumbent Tom D'Aprile, said he was shocked to see Horton booted from office.

"Paul was pretty much an unknown and Mac has been around for a long time," Starr said. "Evidently Paul did all the right things because his totals were very impressive."

Horton was set to be elected unopposed until Stamoulis filed to run on the last day candidates could qualify.

Stamoulis said he waited for someone else to enter the race and jumped in himself when no one did.

"Nobody should run unopposed," Stamoulis said. "I don't think that's a sign of a healthy electorate."

Stamoulis raised $43,500 in campaign funds, almost double Horton's $25,300. He also appeared regularly at Republican candidate events.

Walter Fatz, an Englewood Republican, was impressed by Stamoulis and supported his campaign.

"I felt this man would bring a lot more detail and management to the position," Fatz said. "I thought it was time for positive change and sometimes it's time for someone else to step in."

Stamoulis has owned property in Englewood since 2004 and moved to the area in 2006 after retiring from a judgeship in New Jersey.

"It's no secret that people are dissatisfied with their government on virtually every level," Stamoulis said.

His most notable plea for local change has been his call to incorporate Englewood, a dream he has not laid to rest.

Horton said he has no regrets about running a less aggressive campaign, saying that focusing on his job was his priority.

"If it comes to a choice of what needs to be done for the election or campaigning, I'm going to do what needs to be done for the election," Horton said.

Horton, 67, spent his early childhood in Georgia, but grew up in Englewood and formed strong roots there. His wife's father was L.A. Ainger, the namesake for the community's elementary school.

When Ainger died, Horton filled his shoes on the Charlotte County School Board, a seat he held for 12 years.

Horton later served eight years on the County Commission before running for elections supervisor in 2004.

"Incumbent right now is kind of a dirty word," Horton said Wednesday. But, he said, if people were happy with him, they should have known to cast a vote for him.

"They chose to elect someone who had no experience," Horton said. "Why would people rather have someone who has no experience and no idea what this job is about, I have no idea."

Starr said Horton's loss is a sign that candidates for other seemingly safe offices are also in jeopardy, pointing to Democrat Frank Desguin, the county property appraiser.

Desguin said he is also focusing on his job, but not taking anything for granted.

Horton said he will probably retire in January and take a trip to the Grand Canyon.