Colleen Burton has Strong Start in Bid to Replace Seth McKeel

With Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, facing term limits in 2014, Colleen Burton has emerged as a strong contender to replace him in the Florida House to represent parts of Polk County.

Since jumping in the race at the end of March, Burton has raised $26,175 and kept her powder dry, spending less than $1,350. Burton is well-known in the area. She helped create and lead Polk Vision which focuses on community issues and governance. Burton also headed up Polk Countys Big Brothers Big Sisters and was the executive director of the Imperial Symphony Orchestra based out of Lakeland. Burton ran against Polk County Elections Supervisor Lori Edwards in 2012 but came up short.

While Republicans and Democrats each make up about 40 percent of the voters of the district, there is a Republican lean here. In 2010, Rick Scott beat out Alex Sink by 10 percent in the district. Burton is, so far, the only candidate in the race.