Holly Benson Files for AG

Former Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Holly Benson filed her paperwork to run in a tight battle for the GOP attorney general nomination, pledging to continue Attorney General Bill McCollums lawsuit against new federal health-care laws backed by President Barack Obama.

With General McCollums filing against the Obama health care plan in federal court, the election of Floridas next attorney general has never before been so important, said Benson. Patients, families, businesses and providers across the state believe that my experience as a health-care leader in the Florida House, as secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration and as a lawyer makes me the best-qualified candidate to continue this fight.

Benson faces Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and Asst. State Attorney Pam Bondi for the Republican nomination.

Benson is being backed by members of the Legislature including Sen. Don Gaetz, Sen. Andy Gardiner, Sen. Joe Negron, Rep. Greg Evers, Rep. Mike Horner, Rep. Dave Murzin and former House Majority Leader Jerry Maygarden. She also has the backing of Mayor Mike Wiggins of Pensacola.