The Blair Watch Project

Brian Blair Endorses Margaret Iuculano for Hillsborough County

2011-11-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months the media, family and friends
have asked Brian Blair if he will run for the Hillsborough County
Commissioner’s District 6 seat in 2012.

Over the last few months of mulling over the notion to run, Blair releases
this statement to the press about his intentions:

“Over the past months I have given serious thought to a Hillsborough
County Commission Race. After careful consideration and in consultation
with my family, I have decided not to run for the County Commission, but
intend to support Margaret Iuculano in this District 6 countywide race.
Margaret Iuculano is businesswoman, actively engaged in our community with
charity work benefiting children and foster care programs. Margaret has a
compelling personal story and her family values, coupled with hands on
business experience, make her the type of leader I believe would best serve
the important interests of our citizens on the Board of County
Commissioners.”

He encourages all his supporters to lend their support to Margaret
Iuculano for County Commission District #6 countywide.

E-Mail From Mr. Blair

2011-08-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

County Commissioner Kevin Beckner Votes to Increase Property Taxes

With the US economy in shambles, families across the
economic spectrum hurting right here in Hillsborough County, HART
(Hillsborough Area Regional Transit) board members including Kevin Beckner
voted to raise taxes. Notably opposed were John Byczek and County
Commissioner Sandra Murman.

This rate increase (Aprox$2 million annually) represents a 6.4% increase
over the current amount being collected by HART from home and property
owners.

Former County Commissioner Brian Blair says, “The citizens of
Hillsborough County are tired of having their taxes raised every time
another government experiment fails. Raising taxes in this bad economy
makes no sense and will be a further waste of taxpayer dollars.”

On August 2, the St. Petersburg Times reported that despite the recent
$5.3 million dollar expansion of the downtown streetcar, ridership
continues to fall well below HARTLine Projections. While serving on the
HART Board a few years ago, then Commissioner Blair warned that the
streetcar would waste millions of dollars. The Streetcar project has almost
burned through more than $10 million dollars from the endowment fund that
along with passenger fares was supposed to fund the Streetcar forever.

This tax increase will also be used to meet the demands of the transit
union which is demanding salary increases of as much as 4.9% for its
employees.

“The HARTline board has shown through this vote to raise our taxes its
contempt for the hard workingmen and women of Hillsborough County. This is
unacceptable and I won’t stand for it.”

Join me on Monday, September 12 at the HARTline Budget public hearing and
together we will make our voices heard.

HART Administrative Office
1201 E. 7th Avenue, 3rd Floor
Tampa, Fl 33605
Florida Conference Room

Back

Brian Blair agrees to pay $750 for campaign violations

2011-02-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair has agreed to pay a $750 fine to the Florida Elections Commission for violating campaign contribution limits during his 2008 re-election campaign.
more

Ex-Commissioner Brian Blair’s New Media Kit

2011-02-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

here

Brian Blair’s Son Arrested Again

2010-08-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

At some point, Brian Blair needs to seriously consider which is more important: his political career or his family. Saint Petersblog is again first with news about trouble in state House candidate Brian Blair’s family; Blair’s oldest son Brett was arrested again, the second time in as many months, this time for Grand Theft......here

Kevin Beckner Kicks Brian Blairs Ass, Again!

2010-07-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Bernard Silver found no evidence Beckner acted recklessly regarding Blair, a public figure. He noted in his order that the parsing of words in political debate is subject to "rational interpretations.".....here

Brian Blair's Son Arrested On Drug Charges

2010-07-06T17:31:00.000-07:00

Brett Leslie Blair, 18, was arrested by the Tampa Police Department. Blair was charged with possession of a controlled substance identified as oxycodone, possession of cannabis less than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.........here

Is Brian Blair a Douche?

2010-07-06T17:21:00.000-07:00

Brian Blair, candidate for Florida House District 47, may be a douchebag. You decide?

Brian Blair Pisses His Pants

2010-07-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

Brian Blair
Candidate for Florida House District 47, was supposedly so shitfaced he pissed his pants.......here

Brian Blair To Fight Against New Tax Increase

2010-06-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

Brian Blair, Republican candidate for the District 47 seat in the Florida House of Representatives, is making it clear that he is against raising the sales tax in Hillsborough County to support a new light rail system.......here

Brian Blair After A Few

2010-03-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

Brian Blair wants to sue Peter Schorsch

2010-03-09T07:04:00.000-08:00

Last week, I received a letter from the law firm of Barker, Rodems and Cook, stating that they represented Brian Blair and that they have reviewed my web posting on February 1, 2010........here

Brian Blair's Father's Day Behind Bars.

2009-06-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

Brian Blair Charged With Child Abuse

2009-06-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

Brian Blair, the former pro wrestler and Hillsborough County commissioner, is facing child abuse charges after he allegedly got into a scuffle with his teenage boys.......here

Brian Blair press conference

2009-04-08T08:10:00.001-07:00

Brian Blair Facing Elections Commission Charges

2009-03-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

The Florida Elections Commission has found probable cause that former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair violated state law in his unsuccessful reelection bid last fall.......more

Brian Blair Wants His Reputation Back

2009-03-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair’s lawsuit against Kevin Beckner, who beat him in 2008 at the polls, reeks of sore loser rather than a principled stand for the truth..........more

Brian Blair makes a case for his own retirement

2008-11-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

Brian Blair's "Checkers speech" at the County Center Thursday hinted ominously at legal action against his opponent, Commissioner-elect Kevin Beckner. Without taking any personal responsibility for his 50,000 vote loss, Blair blamed "slanderous and libelous" ads and gave credit only to Beckner's campaign manager for outsmarting his campaign manager........here

The Brian Blair Clean Out Your Office Box

2008-11-13T15:34:00.000-08:00

Blair Takes Shots At Rival As He Departs Commission

2008-11-13T15:15:00.000-08:00

Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair said he wanted his goodbye news conference to be an "upbeat" affair, but the wrestler in him couldn't leave the ring without a few shots at the opponent who whipped him............here

Blair threatens criminal charges against Beckner

2008-11-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

With just six days left as a Hillsborough County commissioner, Republican Brian Blair accepted a plaque from some of his colleagues, but he's not exactly accepting defeat in his race against Democrat Kevin Beckner............here

How Democrat Beckner defeats pro-development incumbent Blair

2008-11-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

Ever since the polls closed on Tuesday, County Commissioner Brian Blair held a slim margin over his challenger Kevin Beckner, until the early votes started to get counted. That’s when the race took a decided turn in favor of the political newcomer and Blair’s defeat became more clear........here

Blair Isn't Ready To Admit Defeat

2008-11-08T07:48:00.000-08:00

Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair said this morning he is not ready to concede defeat in his race with Democrat Kevin Beckner.........here

Beckner 55.26% to Blair’s 44.74%

2008-11-08T07:44:00.000-08:00

Kevin Beckner, whose lead in the county commission race had been evident since election night, pulled ahead of incumbent Brian Blair for good with the final count: 55.26% to Blair’s 44.74% (259,831 to 210,399 votes). Yup, he trounced him...........here

Brain Blair's Report Card

2008-10-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

It's Report Card Time for County Commissioners ! A's or F's .... Stunning excellence, abject failure or somewhere in between...? U-CAN has been taking notes and taking names and now it's time to hand out our Report Cards. Starting with Commissioner Brain Blair -- did Commissioner Blair go to the head of the class or to the wood shed? Check the U-CAN website to find out.
And stay tuned -- other Report Cards will be coming soon........here

Blair, Hagan And Norman

2008-10-25T07:43:00.001-07:00

Black Leaders Deny Backing Blair campaign

2008-10-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

Hillsborough Commissioner Brian Blair told a group of black civic leaders this week that he has been endorsed by two local African-American political leaders in his re-election bid. That would be surprising since both men — Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White and Tampa City Council member Tom Scott — are Democrats. Blair is a Republican...........here

Developers Hosting Fundraiser For Blair

2008-10-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

Trailing his opponent in the latest campaign contribution reports, Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair is looking to local developer heavyweights to pump up his re-election coffers at an Oct. 23 fundraiser. Developer Bing Kearney is hosting the event with other leading members of the building and real estate industry, including Ed Giunta, Lance Ponton and Don Phillips...........here

Blair: Talk To My Attorneys

2008-10-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

An east county activist managed to push Hillsborough County commissioner Brian Blair's button during the public comment period of Wednesday's board meeting. George Niemann, a regular thorn in Blair's side, used his three minutes Wednesday to draw attention to three complaints filed with the Florida Elections Commission........here

Porky Brian Blair

2008-10-13T08:06:00.001-07:00

Tampa Tribune Endorses Kevin Beckner

2008-10-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

The conservative Tampa Tribune couldn't hold their nose and endorse Hillsborough County Commision incumbant Brian Blair. Could it be the silly previous career as a professional wrestler? Perhaps Blair claiming he isn't a bigot by calling Michael Jackson a white person? Maybe it is Blair using gay and lesbian rights as a political wedge issue? Or that Blair has been the most anti-environmental commisioner in Hillsborough County's history. The answer is the Tampa Tribune finds Blair too stupid to endorse........here

Brian Blair Signs: Always Low Standards

2008-10-10T08:30:00.001-07:00

Hillsborough District 6 Commissioner Race Heats Up

2008-10-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

Republican incumbent Brian Blair is facing off against political newcomer and financial planner Democrat Kevin Beckner in the hottest commission race in Hillsborough County. Blair has made some controversial moves during his time as Hillsborough County District 6 commissioner, and Beckner thinks it should cost him the election........here

Smarten Up! Say It Right

2008-10-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know how wrestlers really talk to each other? "Smarten Up! Say It Right" is the first book that explains the business from a true insider point of view. B Brian Blair, a professional wrestling star with 20 years experience, tells you exactly what wrestlers say in the dressing room and what they mean.........here

For a limited time, get a FREE autographed photo of Brian Blair with each purchase!

Brian's Contributors

2008-10-02T20:05:00.000-07:00

here

Blair: I paid for my campaign billboard

2008-10-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair has told the St. Petersburg Times that he paid for the billboard on Ehrlich Road that was the subject of our story this week. He produced a copy of a check for $2,500 for the billboard, which was dated Sept. 19.......here

B Brian Blair sticks his foot in his mouth

2008-10-02T09:05:00.001-07:00

Did Stephen Dibbs Pay For Brian Blair’s Billboards?

2008-09-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

It sure looks like that could have happened. In a story to be published in our print edition tomorrow, I write about how at least one invoice for a Blair campaign billboard was sent directly to a company owned by developer Stephen Dibbs........here

Everything That’s Wrong With Newspapers

2008-09-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

Kevin Beckner is challenging Brian Blair in the election for District 6 of the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners. As you know, local leaders are responsible for a myriad of issues that directly affect your life. Because of this, we really want to count on the daily newspapers to tell us about the candidates, their stances on the issues, and their abilities to lead..........here

Who is behind commissioner Brian Blair's campaign?

2008-09-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

The billboard on Ehrlich Road in north Tampa touting the re-election of Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair reads, in fine print at the bottom, "Political advertisement paid for and approved by Brian Blair, Republican for Hillsborough County Commission, District 6.".......here

Bumbling Brian Blair

2008-09-30T19:44:00.001-07:00

You say it best when you say nothing at all.

2008-09-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

For a guy up for re-election and prone to headlines, Hillsborough Commissioner Brian Blair seemed awfully quiet of late. Though he did pop up from his hidey-hole for a lively spar with Democratic opponent Kevin Beckner on Sunday's Flashpoint, hosted by Ch. 28's Brendan McLaughlin...........here

Brendan McLaughlin Interviews Blair And Beckner

2008-09-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

On Flashpoint - September 14, Segment 1, Segment 2

MSM Endorses Brian Blair

2008-09-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read it correctly: both daily newspapers have endorsed Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair in the GOP primary coming up on Aug. 26. This seems to be the main reason the Trib likes him........here

Supporting your candidate means more than voting....

2008-09-09T07:16:00.000-07:00

If you don’t know why I’d support Beckner over Blair, you must be new around here. Blair hands out political favors to his cronies who support him with big campaign contributions. He has worked hard to weaken our wetland protections, over and over again. He preaches fiscal conservatism, but lavishes our tax dollars on his personal pork projects — literally in his own backyard.......here

Brian Blair Mocks Local Blogger David Pinero

2008-09-03T06:15:00.000-07:00

I've got job interviews I need to attend to, so I decide to get my suit dry cleaned. There's this dry cleaner on the way to my current job I always pass, so I figure, hey, I'll finally stop in and give them some of my business. In I wheel into the parking lot when, slam, this is what I encounter staring back at me.......here

Commissioner Blair, Wins Easily

2008-09-01T20:36:00.000-07:00

"I think the voters are educated and they know who will serve them best. I hope they continue to place their trust in me because my heart is with them."...........Brian Blair

Tribune And The Times Abandon Credibility, Endorse Blair

2008-09-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

For four years the Tribune and the Times have been bashing county commissioner Brian Blair, and when we finally get a chance to vote him out of office they turn around and endorse the Bozo?!?.........here

The Official and Uncensored Beat Brian Blair Website

2008-09-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

Take a look at Blair's His Contributors tab. As of June 30th, he had 650 contributors, 413 of which are "developer-related" individuals. Why should such a small number of people, 413, run Hillsborough County? That's 1 of THEM for every 2,803 of US. 1,157,738 people live here........here

Former Pro Wrestler Objects to Day of Silence

2008-04-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

Yet another clueless local politician throws a hissy fit over the notion of high school kids standing up against anti-gay harassment, and this time it's former WWE wrestler Brain Blair, one half of the Killer Bees tag team (wow, that's really flashing back to my youth)..........here

Commissioner Brian 'Killer Bee' Blair has conniption over Day of Silence

2008-04-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Brian Blair's another Day of Silence hennypenny. This is the opponent of openly gay candidate Kevin Beckner, who is running for Blair's seat on Florida's Hillsborough County Commission.........here

Brian Blair

2008-04-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

Brian Blair is running for local government in Florida and objects to the Day of Silence. All of that gay-baiting done by his arch nemesis the Iron Sheik must have finally got to him........more

Blair Plays Intolerance Card

2008-04-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

Hillsborough County commissioner Brian Blair has picked up Ronda Storm's gay-bashing mantle. The The Former Bubble Bee is venting mock outrage that Tampa high school students will protest violence against LGBT...........here

Brian Blair Faces Ethics Complaint

2008-03-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

The legal process will determine if Brian Blair violated state ethics laws. But there is little question the Hillsborough commissioner demonstrated poor judgment by chastising environmental regulators at their meeting with a business owner contesting a fine........more

Blair actions at EPC still raise red flags

2008-02-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

As chairman of the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, Brian Blair tried last year to end the agency's regulation of construction around wetlands. The dispute ended in compromise, and Blair has since relinquished his chairmanship. But last month, Blair crashed talks between EPC employees and owners of a yard-waste processing company accused of breaking county rules.......more

The Chaplain Turns Water Into Whine

2008-02-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

If you're a government apparatchik, seeing Hillsborough County commissioner and resident board parson Brian Blair barging through the door has to be the paper-pusher equivalent of the pol who came to dinner meets Mongo from "Blazing Saddles." Good grief, this guy appears to have crashed more events than Kato Kaelin, which might explain The Chaplain's presence late last year at an Environmental Protection Commission staff meeting.........more

Elephant Stampede 11.10.2004

2008-02-26T23:37:00.000-08:00

On the day after conservative Republicans completed their takeover of Hillsborough County government:Brian Blair woke up groggy, trying to check his voicemail on a dead cell phone. He did not get to bed at the Hyatt downtown until well after 5 a.m. while watching late returns that showed him squeaking out a victory against Bob Buckhorn.
Ralph Hughes, one of the longtime architects of the emergence of Hillsborough conservatism, arrived early at his desk at Florida Cast-Crete, a pre-stressed concrete manufacturer, and reflected on how more and more Floridians are becoming fiscally and socially conservative.
At the Hillsborough Democratic Party offices, no one was answering the telephone.
The conservative revolution was complete.......via...PoHo

In this corner, the word 'Gestapo'

2008-02-26T23:16:00.000-08:00

Just when you were starting to miss those big Hillsborough County Commission battles over protecting local wetlands, wrestler-turned-commissioner Brian Blair demands a rematch. Or at least gives us a glimpse of the commissioner we've come to know, and it involves the word "Gestapo.".........more

Hillsborough approves optical scan voting system

2008-02-26T23:04:00.000-08:00

Hillsborough County citizens have voted for the last time on touch screen voting machines. Today, County Commissioners approved a $5.97-million contract to purchase voting machines from a new vendor, Premier Elections Solutions. The recommendation came today from Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson......more

Kevin Beckner at EPC Meeting

2008-02-26T21:54:00.001-08:00

Democratic big guns take aim at Blair

2008-02-26T21:26:00.000-08:00

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor is co-hosting a fundraiser next week for Kevin Beckner, a Democrat who's challenging Republican Brian Blair for his Hillsborough County Commission seat. Castor served with Blair on the commission before winning her congressional post. Among the other Beckner backers listed on the invitation: State Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman; Tampa City Council members Gwen Miller, Linda Saul-Sena and Mary Mulhern; state Rep. Betty Reed; and state Sen. Charlie Justice.
via...The Buzz