Former Police Officer: 2012 Campaign ‘Most Intense’ in Temple Terrace

Temple Terrace’s 2012 municipal election campaign is unlike any other that Tracy Mishler has seen in this community.

Mishler is the Temple Terrace Police Department’s former community service officer. He worked in Temple Terrace for 38 years and has lived in the community for 12. He retired from the police department earlier this year.

“This is probably the most intense campaign I’ve ever seen,” he said while holding a sign for mayoral candidate Frank Chillura at Woodmont Clubhouse.

Candidates in previous elections put up a few signs and were done with campaigning, Mishler said. But this year, mayoral and City Council candidates have not only put up signs, they’ve gone door-to-door, participated in several forums, hosted meet and greets, advertised in print and online, and created websites and Facebook pages.

Additionally, voters are making decisions based on their concerns instead of choosing candidates with whom they’re familiar, Mishler said.

“It used to be ‘I know so-and-so, so I’m going to vote for them,’” he explained. “This time, I think the issues were a little more important.”

Mishler had two predictions for the rest of the day: “I think there’s going to be a long line tonight, and I think the (presidential) election results are going to come in late tonight.”

See also:
Temple Terrace Election Results 2012
Temple Terrace Candidates Visit Polls
When Will Election Results Be Announced in Hillsborough County?