Sen. Tom Lee said when he decided earlier this month to run for Senate president, he did so because other lawmakers in Tampa Bay were running for the same post.
?I?ve been calling a few members, which is actually when I learned a couple have made a commitment to Sen. (Wilton) Simpson,? Lee said. ?I know Simpson is running very hard, and so is Bill Galvano.?
Lee, R-Brandon, was Senate president in 2004 to 2006 and was elected back to the Senate last year for a two-year term after the former incumbent, Ronda Storms, left the seat to run unsuccessfully for Hillsborough County property appraiser.
The 51-year-old homebuilder said he he was seeking the presidency in 2020 (where he would preside over the 2021 and 2022 sessions). Even though he concedes it?s too early to run for such a far out date (Lee would have to win next year?s election, plus a second in 2018), Lee said he felt compelled to announce now because others were already running.
?They?ve forced me to run,? Lee said.
Tampa Bay hasn?t had a Senate president since Lee in 2006. With Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, currently locked in the race for 2016 (for the 2017 and 2018 sessions) with Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, Lee is laying out a scenario in which four Tampa Bay lawmakers are now in the mix for the job (if one includes Manatee County as part of Tampa Bay).
According to our friends at The Bradenton Herald, Galvano, R-Bradenton, is being coy about his plans for the presidency in 2018 (for the 2019 and 2020 sessions). ?As for Simpson, R-Trilby, the Times/Herald asked him on July 11 if he was running for the presidency and he said he was too busy being a regular senator.
?I would be very humbled if my colleagues suggest I can do that job,? Simpson said. ?I?m working very hard to be a humble public servant. If that adds up to more than me representing Senate District 18, I would be honored. But right now, all I?m focused on is representing my constituents.?
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tampabaycom/blogs/buzz/~3/KdE9QJHO75g/2132073
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