North Florida GOP Congressional Candidate Ted Yoho Reaches Out to Conservatives at P5

Ted Yoho, a businessman and veterinarian from Gainesville, has been one of the more active candidates at the Republican Party of Floridas Presidency 5 event in Orlando this week. Yoho is challenging veteran Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns for the moment -- but with the Legislature tackling redistricting in early 2012, that could change, and Yoho could be running in other districts.

Yoho has launched a solid campaign website and is starting to assemble an impressive campaign team. Whether he challenges Stearns or fights for another district, he appears to be making inroads by being one of the more active candidates at the P5 event.

Weve had a lot of momentum created, Yoho told Sunshine State News on Friday.

Pointing to his record in the private sector, Yoho stressed the dire economic conditions in northern Central Florida -- including unemployment higher than 14 percent in Marion County. The most important issue is jobs and the economy, he told Sunshine State News.

Yoho railed against federal regulations that hindered economic growth and promised to fight against the health-care law signed by President Barack Obama. He also took aim at EPA mandates hurting economic growth in the state and across the nation.

While most of the focus has been on other parts of the state, redistricting could make a dramatic impact on North Floridas congressional districts. Right now, Corrine Browns district winds across parts of the state while Ander Crenshaws stretches all the way from Mayport to Tallahassee. With voters approving two constitutional amendments on redistricting last year, the congressional lines in North Florida could change dramatically -- and Ted Yoho could be one of the chief beneficiaries.