Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, who climbed to majority leader in the Florida Senate after only three years, announced today she will seek the U.S. Congressional seat in District 19, recently vacated by Rep. Trey Radel, who resigned after his cocaine arrest.
Benacquisto will seek to become only the 18th Republican woman as a member of Congress. But it will be a quick campaign – and one, she may have to do twice this year. The primary for the special election to fill Radel’s seat for the remaining months of this term will be April 22, followed by the general election on June 24.
She joins a field that includes former state. Rep. Paige Kreegel, who has already announced he will seek the seat, joining five other Republicans who have filed election paperwork – Curt Clawson, Mike Giallombardo, Brian Gibens, Timothy Rossano and Michael Dreikorn. Chauncey Goss, who lost to Radel in the primary in 2012, and former Congressman Connie Mack IV have said they will not seek the seat.
According to Ray Netherwood a blogger on the News-press –“Is this someone who will stand up to Boehner? Is this someone who will seriously work to DOWNSIZE DC and to keep the government out of your bedroom, garden, kitchen, car, and wallet. Me thinks probably … NOT.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcYGzuDx3BQ