Gary Price Bows Out of Southwest Florida State Senate Race

Former Naples Vice Mayor Gary Price announced on Wednesday that he was ending his bid for the Florida Senate that is currently held by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples. Price said his young son’s declining health was the chief reason he was getting out of the race. 

"Due to the mounting stress the campaign was placing on my family and especially on my wife, who is the primary caretaker for our son Garrett, I have decided that in order to continue to put my family first in my life, I must end my candidacy for Florida state Senate,” Price said on Wednesday. “I want to thank my many supporters, whose contributions had placed me in a strong financial position to win the election in August. However, a candidate's family position has to be stronger than his financial one in order for a campaign to be a complete success.”

With Price out of the race, two Republicans currently serving in the Florida House--Matt Hudson of Naples and Kathleen Passidomo of Naples--are left. Price had kind words for both on Wednesday. 

“I believe there are two very capable GOP candidates remaining in this contest, and I look forward to listening to their ideas on how to fix Tallahassee and best represent the values of Collier County,” Price said. “My passion to serve our community remains strong, and I will do so when and where possible given my family and business commitments."