Mark Bircher Back for Second Congressional Bid in Pinellas County

Former Marines Gen. Mark Bircher is back for another congressional bid. 

Bircher, a favorite of the tea party movement, ran for Congress back in 2014 in a special election. While he pulled in some conservative endorsements, including the support of former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., Bircher placed last in the three candidate Republican primary, taking 24 percent while David Jolly went on to win with 45 percent. 

With Jolly running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, Bircher is the first Republican to file with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) for the seat. While the district is expected to contain parts of Pinellas County, it is also expected to be more favorable for Democratic candidates. The state judicial branch is currently handling congressional redistricting. 

Former Gov. Charlie Crist and Eric Lynn, who worked at the Defense Department in the Obama administration, are seeking the Democratic nomination.