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Politics

Former RPOF Chair Leslie Dougher to Run for Charlie Van Zant Seat

July 1, 2015 - 8:45am
Leslie Dougher
Leslie Dougher

Former Republican Party of Florida Chairwoman Leslie Dougher is looking to return to Tallahassee, this time as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. 

Despite the support of Gov. Rick Scott and a good year for Republicans, earlier this year Dougher was defeated by Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, to take over the RPOF. Still at her post as chairwoman of the Clay County GOP, Dougher will now run for the seat currently held by term-limited Rep. Charlie Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, which represents parts of southern Clay County and all of Bradford, Putnam and Union counties.
 
“Today I am excited to announce my candidacy for House District 19,” Dougher announced on Tuesday night. “Hard work and determination will set our campaign apart and deliver a new voice in Tallahassee that will fight for the principles that Floridians value: job growth, lower taxes, and an exceptional education system.

“Effective leadership in Tallahassee can only be accomplished after earning the trust of your constituents,” Dougher added. “I plan to earn that trust face-to-face as I listen to the concerns of voters across the district and voice those concerns on the House floor in Tallahassee.”
 
 Besides her work with the RPOF and Clay County GOP, Dougher, a Realtor, has been active with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce and Scott appointed her to chair the Small Business Development Center Board.

Dougher does not have an open shot at the Republican nomination in this conservative district. Katherine Van Zant, wife of the current incumbent, entered the race back in December and, at the end of May, had more than $19,500 in the bank. Palatka native Bobby Payne, who worked for the Seminole Electric Cooperative for almost three-and-a-half decades, entered the race in March, and by the end of May had more than $28,000 on hand. Currently, there are no Democrats or minor party candidates in the race.  

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN

Comments

Leslie Dougher stands for the principles Floridians value! We need her to be our next State Representative!

Leslie was instrumental in getting Rick Scott reelected last year... Sounds like someone we need in Tallahassee! I will cast my vote for her.

Good news for the district. We need strong representation in Tallahassee and Leslie will make us proud!

Go Leslie!!! She was a phenomenal RPOF Chair and will be an excellent State rep!

Leslie Dougher will be a great Representative for the voters of District 19! We need more principled conservatives like her in Tallahassee.

Good luck to Mr. Payne and Mrs. Dougher. It is about time there was a fight for that seat. Rep Van Zant has gone without challenge since his election 8 years ago. It is definitely time for a change. In his years in office Van Zant has maybe passed 2 or3 bill and has been called by the times union "one of the least effective legislators in the state of Florida." Electing the wife of "one of the least effective legislators in the state of Florida" would mean the voters want more of the same they have been getting. We will see.

Sorry Cristie. Meant no offense as it's just an expression. 210 and 6'4" isn't bad. I'm only 6'2" and 255. I'm sure I have more stomach!

Leslie "Doolittle" is a great representative OF the inside political machine. The PEOPLE do NOT need her in Tallahassee unless everyone wants even more cronyism! I support Lady Katherine but she MUST begin to receive some financial help in the form of donations if she is to be elected and allowed to continue represent the taxpayers! Cough the money up for Mrs. Van Zant and you'll be so very happy you did!. On another note, anyone know where little ol' Bobby Payne got all his cash from?

First off little ole Bobby Payne is not so little as he has raised all his money so far locally without begging money from Tallahassee. He will be a challenger for both of them and yes coming from Putnam County. By the way, he is 6'4", 210, I would say that is not little.

Leslie Dougher is a personable and friendly person. But we live in a time when we need a person who is willing to stand up and fight for what is right, even if it means not winning the next election, or making the powers that be upset. That's why I am voting for Katherine Van Zant. She is a true Conservative who stands for traditional values, who will fight for families and children and our American way of life and who believes this is still "One Nation Under God."

Sorry, Ms. Dougher is a vindictive and pliant operative that was supported for the Chairmanship so she could institute a purge of the conservatives in the party statewide. Soory, plan #fail. She is also bought and paid for by Jeb Bush. Jeb Bush cannot win. Katherine Van Zant will make an excellant State Representative.

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