On Tuesday, Lutz businessman and consultant Scott Landry Jr. filed to run against Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, as a Democrat. The seat Lee currently holds represents parts of Hillsborough County and is generally considered to lean Republican.
Im really excited to do it, Landry, a first time candidate, told Sunshine State News on Tuesday. I saw there was a need.
Landry said he had talked to business owners in the district and found they were concerned about the direction of the state government.
People werent happy with the leadership in Tallahassee, Landry said. He vowed to alleviate pressures on small business and fight for job creation.
If he sounds like more of a conservative on fiscal issues, Landry should appeal to Democrats on social issues. Ive always been one to look for equal opportunities, he said, including more support for equality for gays and lesbians.
In challenging Lee, Landry is taking on one of the more established Republicans in Tallahassee. First elected to the Florida Senate in 1996, Lee rose to serve as president of that chamber after the 2004 elections. Lee set his eyes on statewide office in 2006 when he ran for state CFO, but he lost out to Democrat Alex Sink. Despite his years in politics, Lee is only 51 -- and clearly a political veteran.
Lee bounced back in 2012, defeating then Rep. Rachel Burgin in a contentious Republican primary. In the general election, Lee won 54 percent of the vote when he defeated Democrat Elizabeth Belcher. All told, he spent around $517,000 in the 2012 elections, including around $230,000 in the primary against Burgin, while Belcher spent around $17,000, though she was clearly helped by Barack Obamas and Bill Nelsons coattails because they carried Hillsborough County easily.
Lees fundraising abilities remain impressive, especially since he entered the race fairly late in 2012, in late May. As he moved ahead into the 2014 elections, he raised $34,450 in the first quarter of 2013 and spent less than $46.
Since returning to the Senate, Lee has once again risen in the Republican ranks both in Tallahassee and back home in Hillsborough County. He serves as part of the GOP leadership in the Senate, chairing the Judiciary Committee and serving as deputy majority leader. Despite the battle against Burgin, Lee is also chairing the county Republican Executive Committee, giving him more unity in the GOP ranks.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (904) 521-3722.
