Nancy Argenziano Drops Congressional Bid to Challenge State Rep. Jimmie Smith

Nancy Argenziano has pulled out of the 2nd congressional race to run for Florida House in her Citrus County home.

The former Public Service Commission chairman and retired state senator opted to drop her challenge to U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Tallahassee. Argenziano acknowledged that her failure to win a court challenge seeking to run as a Democrat figured in her decision.

"I was the best chance to get crossover votes in that district. But it's hard to get millions of dollars" as an independent, Argenziano told Sunshine State News.

She said she would run as an independent against state Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Lecanto.