Ross officially running again
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, officially announced the start of his re-election campaign on Jan. 21 at events in Lakeland and Plant City.
Ross, currently in his second term, is a conservative Republican with a platform to lower taxes, protect individual freedoms, and reduce government mandates.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to work on behalf of the good people of Polk and Hillsborough (counties) these past three years in Congress,” Ross said in a release. “I care deeply about our community, and I have been tirelessly fighting for families across the 15th District to ensure that they can keep more of their hard-earned money and maintain their freedoms. I will continue to do all that I can to promote job growth and certainty for the future.”
Ross has already raised more than $380,000, and so far would face former television journalist Alan Cohn in the general election if no one else files to run.
Littlefield won’t seek endorsements
Former State Rep. Ken Littlefield knows his main primary opponent in the Pasco County Commission race has some major endorsements from other local leaders, but he isn’t looking for any himself.
“I will be asking you for your vote because you like me, and because I’ve been able to explain to you” my experience, Littlefield told the Republican Club of Central Pasco last week. “Rather, I will never come to you and say, ‘Vote for me’ because there’s another elected official that thinks I’m pretty cool. I will never come to you and say ‘Vote for me’ because there is another leader in our county who thinks I’m pretty good.”
Littlefield is referring to one of his Republican primary challengers, Mike Moore, who already touts nine endorsements on his campaign website. They are from people like Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning, and two mayors — Tim Newlon of San Antonio, and Danny Burgess of Zephyrhills.
Littlefield entered the race Jan. 16, and has yet to file campaign finance reports. Moore, however, is leading the money pack with just under $41,000 raised. The third Republican in the race, Bob Robertson, has raised a little more than $10,000 since announcing his candidacy last summer.
