In Florida, Kevin Beckner has unseated incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair.

Beckner is a 37-year-old financial planner. This was his first bid at public office.

Blair caused a controversy earlier in the campaign by opposing a day of silence in memory of 15-year-old hate crime victim Lawrence King. The e-mail read:

Considering the fact that the same school system does not want to allow just one Minute of Silence in the classroom for God, this is preposterous.

I encourage every parent of children in the participating schools to voice their opposition to this proposal to the school administration, the School Board the newspapers and to family and friends. Can you imagine asking for a “Day of Cheer for Heterosexuality?” If no action is taken to change this policy, then perhaps it is time for another surgical strike from the majority; a “Day of Abstention” from school participation might be considered.