Nancy Detert to Leave Florida Senate Next Year to Run for Sarasota County Commission

Florida Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, made it official on Thursday: she’s going to forego her last two years in the Florida Senate to run for the Sarasota County Commission. The move had been anticipated. 

Detert leaving the Senate next year will launch a competitive fight for the seat. Former state Rep. Doug Holder and former Sarasota Mayor Nora Patterson had already launched bids for to replace Detert in 2018 and are now shifting their focus. 

Saint Petersblog reported on Thursday night that Holder is now officially running to replace  Detert next year while other contenders for the Republican nod could include state Reps. Ray Pilon and Greg Steube. Former state Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, coming off losses to Pilon in 2010 and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., in 2012, could run on the Democratic side.