By Lee Logan, Times Staff Writer 
Posted: Jun 08, 2011 01:59 PM

DADE CITY — Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader announced Wednesday that he has filed to run for what he says would be his fourth and final term.

Schrader, 55, said he wanted to file relatively early to quash rumors that he is angling for another office, such as the state House seat currently held by Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, that will be open in two years.

“It’s not my desire to go to Tallahassee,” he said. “My focus is to continue to provide quality representation to the citizens of Pasco County.”

A citrus grower and Realtor, Schrader holds the seat where his grandfather, Arthur H. Schrader, served for more than 20 years. First elected in 2000, he faced no opposition four years later and earned a narrow victory over San Antonio developer John Nicolette in the 2008 Republican primary.

If he wins a fourth term next fall, Schrader said that will be plenty.

“You shouldn’t expect it to be an everlasting career,” he said. “It’s just important to me to move on to other things.”