Democrats plan to run in Metz, Stargel districts
With state Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, leaving office, a Democrat has joined a field of three Republicans seeking to replace him in a Lake County House district.
Clermont Democrat Sheryl Needle Cohn opened a campaign account Thursday to run in November in House District 32, according to the state Division of Elections website.
Metz had been slated to leave the House this year because of term limits but was named Sunday by Gov. Rick Scott to a judgeship.
Also running for the seat are Republicans Shannon Elswick, Anthony Sabatini and Monica Wofford. Elswick led fundraising as of Feb. 28, bringing in an overall total of $46,785, a finance report shows.
Also this week in Central Florida, Auburndale Democrat Ricardo Rangel opened a campaign account to try to unseat Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, in Senate District 22, which includes parts of Polk and Lake counties. Also in the race is Winter Haven Democrat Bob Doyel. Stargel had raised $145,700 for the race as of Feb. 28, while Doyel had raised $43,699, reports show.