Bill Heller couldn’t ask for a better scenario: an unknown Republican, unassociated with the Tea Party, challenging him late in the election year…just what he needs to raise a boatload of money. Here’s the presser from Connie Deneault:
Retired businessman and community leader Connie Deneault today announced his candidacy for State Representative in District 52, the southern Pinellas seat currently held by Representative Bill Heller.
“We need leaders in Tallahassee that can work together with their fellow legislators to get things done. In these difficult times, we can’t afford leaders that simply show up,” said Connie Deneault. “We need new ideas that protect our individual freedoms and create jobs, reduce regulations and keep our taxes low in order to unleash the engine that is the Florida economy.”
Deneault is a son of French Canadian immigrants that settled in Massachusetts and started a bakery. Working with his parents in the family bakery, Deneault developed a healthy respect for hard work, self reliance and an entrepreneurial work ethic that has driven him ever since. Deneault attended the University of Missouri on an athletic scholarship in football, playing quarterback under Coach Dan Devine. He graduated with a B. S. in Secondary Education in 1968. Deneault served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army reserves.
In his early career Deneault worked as a teacher and a coach. In 1969, Deneault started what would be a 40-year career with State Farm Insurance Companies. In 1972 he became a State Farm agent, operating his own small business. He became actively involved in his community.
Read the rest of the press release and view his website here.
