Pasco County’s political leaders are lending their influence to a number of primary races.

County Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand may be retiring from public life when her term ends this year, but she isn’t going silently. Hildebrand has endorsed former school board member Kathryn Starkey as her chosen successor.

“I’ve known Kathryn for 20 years, and despite our age difference we’ve become really good friends,” Hildebrand said. “She’s a good public servant, and she knows the community.”

Starkey is one of five Republicans who qualified for the primary. The others are Randy Evans, Chris Gregg, Joshua J. Griffin and Karen King.

Hildebrand said she worked on Starkey’s 2010 campaign for the state House seat she eventually lost to Rep. Richard Corcoran. She penned a fundraising letter on Starkey’s behalf and co-sponsored a fundraiser that brought in about $12,000.

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