Cretul ponders higher office

Ocala Star-Banner - September 7, 2001
By LAWRENCE WISE
Staff Writer

OCALA — Marion County Commissioner Larry Cretul announced Wednesday he would not seek re-election, but left open the possibility he could run for a higher office.

Cretul, 53, has served on the commission for nearly seven years, and his term ends in November 2002.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do politically, if I do anything politically," Cretul said. "I'm satisfied with the people who are in office right now."

Cretul said possibilities might open up after the redistricting, but would not say if he would seek other office. Redistricting occurs after every census, when the Florida Legislature redraws political districts based on population distribution.

Cretul said more people are likely to make a run for his District Two seat if he does not seek re-election.

"If I were in any other office, term limits would require me to move on," Cretul said.

The Ocala-based homebuilder said he wants to spend more time working in his "real job."

No one has filed paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections stating they intend to run for the District Two seat, records show.

Marion Commissioner Randy Harris, who is chairman of the county's Republican Party, said he does not know any definite candidates from his party's camp.

"Any time you have an incumbent stepping down, it opens the doors up," Harris said. "I am, however, confident that there will be some good Republicans that step up to the challenge."

But Pat Gabriel, president of the Southwest State Road 200 Coalition, has said she is "strongly considering" running for the seat.

Gabriel, a Republican, said Cretul's announcement made her even more inclined to campaign for the District Two seat. She said she had already planned to spend September and October gathering information on whether she can wage a campaign.

"It would probably push me toward running because I wouldn't be running against an incumbent," Gabriel said. "I'm a little surprised at how early he's making that announcement."

Ken Nadeau, chairman of Marion's Democratic Party, said Cretul's announcement opens the opportunity to bring some "balance back to the commission."

"It is extremely difficult to get people to run against an incumbent," Nadeau said. "There will be some quality candidates this year."

Nadeau said he could not yet comment on any potential candidates from the Democratic party.

Lawrence Wise covers county issues and can be reached at larry.wise@starbanner.com or 867-4106.

See September 7, 2001 issue of Ocala Star-Banner for original article