Laurel Lee, Florida’s Secretary of State until last week, has joined the competitive Republican field in the U.S. House District 15 race.

Lee announced her candidacy Tuesday, a day after state Sen. Kelli Stargel of Lakeland disclosed that she had entered the race.

Other Republican candidates in the election include former U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross of Lakeland; Florida Rep. Jackie Toledo of Tampa; former Navy Commander Demetries Grimes, who lists a Winter Haven campaign address; Jay Collins of Tampa; and Kevin “Mac” McGovern of Celebration.

Also:State Sen. Kelli Stargel enters crowded U.S. House-15 race

Redrawing the lines:New maps would mean change of US reps for most Polk voters: What you need to know

Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Lakeland, currently serves in District 15 but is now running in the redrawn District 18, which includes eastern Lakeland and southern Polk County. That makes District 15 a rare open seat among Florida’s 28 congressional districts.

The revised District 15 covers northwest Polk County south of Interstate 4, including Lakeland west of U.S. 98 and South Florida Ave, along with parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Former Gov. Rick Scott appointed Lee, who holds bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida, in 2013 as a judge in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit. Gov. Ron DeSantis chose her as Secretary of State in January 2019.

“I know what is at stake and how important it is that we send more conservatives to Washington,” Lee said in a news...

Read Full Story: https://www.theledger.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/05/17/former-flo...