Changing Parties and Headed North, Nancy Argenziano Runs for Congress

Former Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairwoman Nancy Argenziano announced on Monday that she intends to run for Congress in 2012.

Argenziano, who served as a Republican in the Florida Legislature, left the PSC in October to support Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink against eventual winner Republican Rick Scott.

Not only is Argenziano turning her Republican coat into a Democratic one when she runs in 2012, she is also packing her bags and heading north. Argenziano emerged from Citrus County with a House district office based in Dunnellon -- which is in Marion County.

The former PSC chairwoman plans to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, who currently represents parts of all12 counties and parts of four more -- and no, he does not represent Citrus or Martin counties. Still, during her time in the Senate, Argenziano represented all of Dixie, Lafayette, Suwanee and Taylor counties as Southerland does now. Like the congressman, she did represent parts of Jefferson and Leon counties. The district could be changed in early 2012 when the Legislature takes up redistricting.

She was appointed to chair the PSC by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, who also left the Republicans to run for the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation.