Author, public speaker and activist Shawna Vercher announced Wednesday she filed as a candidate for the State House District 67 seat currently held by term-limited Rep. Ed Hooper.
The host of a “non-partisan call-in” radio program featuring politics and current events broadcast through Genesis Communications, Vercher is running as a Democrat for the district covering much of North Pinellas County, including Clearwater and Largo.
“I filed to run for State House in District 67 to be a voice for Florida’s Families,” Vercher said in a Facebook post Wednesday evening. “This campaign will be about connecting with you, your families, friends, and neighbors, so that together we can build a better Florida.”
Vercher serves as president of the national civic advocacy group My America, an organization seeking to restore balance to the national political dialogue by “reclaiming patriotism and engaging American voters.”
In a varied career, Vercher worked both as technology advisor to former Gov. Jeb Bush, and on the Florida campaign trail for President Barack Obama as CEO of a Tampa consulting firm. She has also been a syndicated columnist for the Huffington Post and had pieces published in the Wall Street Journal.
Entering a crowded field in the HD 67 race, Vercher faces Stephen Sarnoff and Thomas Ryan in the Democratic primary. Running on the Republican side are Chris Latvala — son of state Sen. Jack Latvala — Christopher Shepard and Frederick Thompson.
Latvala already has a significant fundraising advantage in the race, with more than $154,000 in contributions to date.
For more information about Vercher’s candidacy, visit www.electshawna.com.
