Diane Rowden for State Representative, District 44

BROOKSVILLE — Is he in or out?

State Rep. Rob Schenck announced months ago that he would seek re-election this year to the seat he has held since 2006. But now he has applied to become a member of the Florida Public Service Commission.

The news sparked immediate reaction from a Democratic candidate in the race for the District 44 seat. Diane Rowden issued a news release asking him to "publicly clarify which position he is actually running for.''

"It is absolutely vital that he be clear about his intention with the voters,'' Rowden wrote. "The hard working families of Hernando County deserve to know whether Rep. Schenck is once again quitting his elected position or not.''

Schenck, a Republican from Spring Hill, said Wednesday that when he realized that he is one of 50 applicants for the two seats, he now has "almost zero interest'' in the position.

Instead, his focus is re-election to the state House.

"I love my job,'' he said. "I think I've done it well.''

Schenck filed his application last week to fill one of the seats currently held by David Klement and Benjamin "Steve" Stevens. In what was largely seen as a political slap at Gov. Charlie Crist, the state Senate recently declined to confirm his choices to the PSC.

In his application for the PSC slot, which pays $130,036 annually, Schenck makes a pitch for his consideration by citing several of his past experiences in public office and the classroom as qualifications to serve on the commission.

"I have been a member of the Energy and Utilities Committee in the House of Representatives which allowed me to learn subject material,'' he wrote. "As a County Commissioner, we acquired and regulated Hernando's water utility so I am familiar with rate design and voting against rate increases.''

As a Hernando County teacher, he noted he also taught senior high school economics. Being a public official " has also taught me how to operate under the Sunshine Law and my experience in land uses cases has taught me about ex-parte communications.''

Rowden, a former Hernando County commissioner and one of three Democrats in the running for the House seat, blasted Schenck's decision to apply for another job.

"Schenck's application is proof of his lack of commitment and follow through to Hernando County. This is the third time he's done this to our district. Enough is enough,'' she said in the news release.

Rowden cited Schenck's stepping down in the past from his teaching job before the year ended and quitting his job as a Hernando County commissioner to run for the state House seat he now holds.

Schenck said his application to the PSC is a "non-issue'' and that he had only applied because several people encouraged him to do so and because he felt his experience qualified him for the job.

In the past, he said, not enough qualified people sought a seat on the commission, which regulates public utilities.

As a state representative, Schenck is paid $31,932.

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1434.