BY JOHN McCARTHY

Suzanne Kosmas officially began her campaign Tuesday for the 24th Congressional District in her hometown of New Smyrna Beach.

The Democrat wasted no time in attacking incumbent Republican Tom Feeney of Oviedo. "It's time for a change and time for a change now," she said.

Speaking before several dozen supporters along the bank of the Indian River, Kosmas criticized Feeney's stands on everything from the Iraq war to health care to the environment.

"These are not our priorities," the former state representative said over and over when discussing Feeney's voting records.

Among the topics Kosmas touched on:

• The war in Iraq: Kosmas said she spoke out against the war before the U.S. sent troops to Iraq and continues to believe the war was a mistake. "Now it is time to come up with a plan and get out of Iraq."
• The U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Kosmas said she thinks the nation needs an energy policy that emphasizes research on alternative energy sources. "We need an energy policy that works for us, not against us.
• Space: Kosmas said if elected she'd be a strong advocate for the space program. "We'd like to see funding come around for the extension of the shuttle, as well as for the acceleration of the Constellation program, if possible."

Despite the glaring sun and temperatures in the upper 80s, Kosmas supporters seemed energized. "I thought it was wonderful," Dorothy Brown of New Smyrna Beach said of Kosmas's speech. "She mentioned all the topics that are important to me.

Perhaps the most vocal supporter, though, was 14-year-old Tyler Kosmas. "You go, Grandma," he called out after the speech as his grandmother was being interviewed by TV news crew.