Democrats jump in HD 5, 67, 69 races; GOP enters HD 92

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While the Republican cats are away in Tallahassee, the Democratic mice are coming out to play in a couple of state legislative seats worth watching.

In Northwest Florida, Chipley Democrat Travis Pitts opened a campaign account Wednesday to run in District 5, which will be an open seat because Rep. Marti Coley faces term limits. Former state Representative Brad Drake of DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa Beach Realtor Jan Hookss and Wausau Libertarian Karen Barbara Schoen also are seeking the seat.

Also, two Democrats have filed paperwork to run this fall for Pinellas County House seats, adding to crowded fields in the battleground county. As previously reported Scott Orsini opened a campaign account last week to run in House District 69. He joined incumbent Rep. Kathleen Peters, Republican Leo Govoni and Libertarian Randy Taylor.

Meanwhile, Thomas Ryan, has opened a campaign account in House District 67. He joined Democrat Stephen Sarnoff and Republicans Chris Latvala, Christopher Shepard, and Frederick Thomson.

In a South Florida race, Deerfield Beach Republican Kenny Brighton filed paperwork Monday to challenge incumbent Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed in House District 92.

Material from the News Service of Florida was used in this post.

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.