“There is no Tampa Bay,” not really, says ex-State Senator Jim Sebesta, that are in a great position to know, has represented Pinellas and Hillsborough and stay in second. “A hundred thousand people cross the bridge each day to go to or Pinellas, Hillsborough, but they are still separate communities.”
He has a point, when You consider a different political fiefdoms and scattered throughout the region. The arch-conservative East Hillsborough have little in common with South Pinellas Democrats (PRD), which in turn have little in common with Hernando West.
The campaign is all about marketing, and politicians determine Tampa Bay by the TV markets: the seven counties of Hernando, Pasco, Polk and Sarasota, Hillsborough, Pinellas, orange with as the heart. Tampa Bay electorate is equivalent to the entire state of Colorado and Arizona, and more importantly have a home to the vast array of swing voters who tend to see individual candidates ahead of party affiliation.
Of course, officials in Port Richey was elected on the yawning transport debate in Hillsborough, and St. Petersburg leader whine when someone mentions “Tampa” beam. But they are biased is akin to the parish every city ward or borough leaders.