Spivey had her political side too

In 1994 Helen Spivey ran for State Representative and had no chance.

Sure, she was a Crystal River councilwoman and avowed environmentalist during a time when that was important.

And Spivey co-chaired the Save the Manatee Club with Jimmy Buffett (that’s them in the photo, from the club’s website).

​

---

But her opponent in the Democratic primary was famed Inverness attorney Richard “Spike” Fitzpatrick, who seemed like a lock to win.

As the adage goes, that’s why they play the game.

Spivey, who died Wednesday at the age 94, shocked the Citrus County political fraternity by winning that Democratic primary and would win the election, giving the “Manatee Lady” a two-year term in the State House.

How she got there was one of those political marvels that still resonates with me all these years later.

By all accounts, it shouldn’t have been close.

Spike had the familiar family name, community service, school board attorney and was very well connected in Citrus and elsewhere. He seemed destined for the Legislature.

Their campaign styles were much different. Fitzpatrick the more traditional, fundraisers and campaign signs, that sort of thing. Spivey had one sign. One. She would sit on the corner of the busy intersection in a lawn chair, holding her one sign. Spivey never wavered from who she was, this grandmother who wanted to protect manatees and their habitat.

There was another candidate in the race, and all three Democrats went to the primary, which Spike won fairly easily — but not enough.

In those days, unless the primary winner got 50%-plus-1 of the vote, we had a runoff. Those runoffs occurred in October and were known for their terrible voter turnout, which led to wild results.

Spivey received 35% in the first primary, and Fitzpatrick came close to winning the primary outright. But he didn’t get that 50-plus-1, so the two went to the runoff.

Here’s the thing about the second primary low voter turnout. It ALWAYS benefitted the person who finished second the first time, the pattern being that the winner’s supporters think he’s a shoo-in and see no reason to vote in the runoff.

Going on memory here, but between the primaries something moved the needle. Fitzpatrick started getting what I call incumbent money, meaning donations from organizations and causes that generally go to legislators running for re-election.

Some of those donations came from the sugar industry, which has a longstanding feud with environmentalists over the Everglades (which I frankly know nothing about). Spivey used what little campaign money she had to link “Sugar Daddy” with Fitzpatrick, and then urged all her supporters to show up to vote a second time.

I remember that night. I was headed down to the elections office for the vote count, and Chronicle reporter John Dunbar grabbed me all excited.

“Spivey’s winning!” he said.

And it stayed that way. She beat Fitzpatrick by less than 300 votes, then won the general election against Republican Gene Keith (I have zero memory of him) by about 500 votes.

Two years later, an unknown named Nancy Argenziano would run against Spivey and win, then defeat Spivey again a second time.

 Politicians, especially on the state level, tend to take their losses very personally and Spivey was no exception. I can’t think of a single incumbent legislator who lost at the ballot and wasn’t bitter, at least for a while.

Spivey got over it and would go on to help Citrus County maneuver through environmental challenges, including the purchase of Three Sisters Springs. She stayed true to her purpose whether holding a title or not.

I interviewed Helen for the Chronicle shortly before her 90th birthday. She was living in Yankeetown, and we spent a gorgeous spring morning along the Withlacoochee River, reminiscing. Talking with Helen was always a pleasure.

I think about Helen, and Dennis Damato, and am just so grateful to have known them both. Citrus County has long been blessed with individuals who go way beyond the pale on behalf of others or, in Helen’s case, gentle sea cows.

Citrus County has lost an icon in Helen Spivey. Prayers for Helen’s family and friends.

​Join the discussion on our Facebook page.