HD 58 Republican candidate Yvonne Fry picked up an endorsement Wednesday from Hillsborough County commissioner and former county Republican Party chair Al Higginbotham.
“I have known Yvonne for many years and I know that she is well-prepared to lead in Tallahassee. Throughout her lifetime, Yvonne has been actively engaged in building a better community in East Hillsborough County. Her ability to take on big challenges and to find solutions will serve her constituents well,” Higginbotham said.
Fry, who called Higginbotham “a legend,” said she sincerely appreciated the support and endorsement.
Fry is one of two GOP entrants in the race to take over for Dan Raulerson, who stepped down from the northeast Hillsborough seat Tuesday due to health problems.
Higginbotham’s nod of support goes into the collection alongside earlier endorsements from Rep. Ross Spano, Hillsborough County School Board member Melissa Snively, Plant City Mayor Rick Lott, Plant City Vice Mayor William Dodson, Plant City Commissioners Nate Kilton, Mary Mathis and Mike Sparkman and former Commissioner Billy Keel.
The Plant City native and University of Southern Mississippi alumna is running against Lawrence McClure in the Republican Primary.
Fry pulled in $7,250 for her campaign in the last four days of July, but the race looks heated up after McClure entered on Aug. 1 and announced a week later that he had already raised $90,000.
The only Democrat to file for the seat is Jose Vasquez, a long-shot candidate who has been unsuccessful in previous runs for state and local office. Libertarian Party of Florida candidate Bryan Richard Zemina and no-party candidate Ahmad Hussam Saadaldin are also running.
The qualifying period for the special election ended Wednesday and the primary is set for Oct. 10, with the general election to be held Dec. 19.