A Sixth Candidate Files for Jimmy Patronis' House Seat in Bay County

Yet another candidate has jumped into the increasingly crowded field battling for the Florida House seat currently held by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, who faces term limits in 2014.

On Friday, Ryan Singleton, who just graduated from Florida A&M University, filed his paperwork to run for the Democratic nomination for the House seat which represents parts of Bay County. Singleton becomes the sixth candidate to enter the race. He will battle Jamie Shepard, who had been the president of the Bay County League of Women Voters, for the Democratic nomination. Four Republicans are also in the race: Panama City attorney and engineer Mark Anderson who teaches at Florida State; congressional staffer Tho Bishop; businesswoman Melissa Hagan who currently serves as Gulf Coast State Colleges director of development; and radio show host Brian Rust.

Singleton, who is 23, told Sunshine State News on Monday that he hopes his campaign will encourage young voters to become more active in the political process. Theres not many youths who try to make an impact in the political world, he said.

Singleton called for more funding for public education and health sciences and more focus on federal health programs including Medicaid and Medicare.