Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore Endorses Candidate To Fill His Seat

PASCO COUNTY, FL — It didn't take long for contenders to file to fill longtime Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore's seat.

A day after Moore announced that he will retire from the county commission when his term of office ends in November, Dade City resident Seth Weightman and Land O' Lakes resident Troy F. Stevenson, both Republicans, have filed to run for the District 2 commission seat.

Moore said he not only looks forward to seeing a vigorous campaign for the seat he's vacating, but has already endorsed Weightman, who he said shares Moore's conservative values.

"I've had the privilege of knowing Seth and his family for close to 15 years," Moore said. "Seth has a long history of working on behalf of the residents of Pasco County."

Weightman previously served as legislative aide for former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford, followed by an appointment to the Southwest Florida Water Management District by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Moore said Weightman will bring years of experience and a "servant's heart" to the commission.

"My family has called Pasco County home for generations, and we have always looked for ways to help our neighbors and make our community a better place," Weightman said. "Through our work and volunteer efforts, I have heard firsthand from many Pasco residents about the needs of our community. That is why I am running for the Pasco County Commission. From better roads to creating jobs right here in Pasco County, our county commissioner can make a huge impact for generations to come."

Weightman earns his bachelor's degree in criminology and a master's degree in entrepreneurship from the University of South Florida.

He is currently a municipal services manager for Republic Services Inc. (a solid waste and recycling company), and runs a family business with his wife, Jessica.

"My wife and I could have chosen anywhere to live and grow our family and business," Weightman said. "We chose here, Pasco County, because it is home."

Weightman has served on the board of CareerSource Pasco-Hernando and the Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council.

He currently serves on the AdventHealth Dade City-Zephyrhills Foundation Board and the Pasco-Hernando State College Foundation in addition to his appointment to SWFWMD.

He comes from a long line of public servants. His uncle, Thomas E. Weightman, is the former Pasco County superintendent of schools. His aunt, Jean Larkin Weightman, is a former Pasco County School Board member. And his mother, Laurel Weightman, served on the county's Charter Advisory Committee, the Planning Board and Recreational Advisory Board for Dade City and is a founding board member and current president of the Dade City Symphony.

He said he hopes to focus on public safety, infrastructure improvements, job creation and creating a better quality of life for residents if elected to the commission.

As required by law following the 10-year census, the commission approved new county commission districts in December.

District 2 is bordered by Land O' Lakes Boulevard to the west, State Road 52 to the north, Old Pasco Road, Boyette Road and Morris Bridge Road to the east and ends at the county line on the south.

Two candidates have also filed to run for the District 4 seat on the commission now held by Christina Fitzpatrick, who intends to run for re-election when her term ends in November 2022.

They are Republicans Gary H. Bradford and Shannon J. Wittwer.

District 4 runs from the coast in west Pasco County between Ridge Road and Trout Creek Road east to Land O' Lakes Boulevard and south to the county line between Land O' Lakes Boulevard and the Suncoast Parkway.

See related story: Mike Moore Announces Retirement From Pasco County Commission