Steve Crisafulli Takes Sides in GOP House Primaries

Incoming House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, announced on Tuesday he was backing three Republicans who have contested primaries as they look to enter the Florida House: Chris Latvala, Rene Coach P Plasencia and Bill Young.

Latvala is running against Christopher Shepard in the Republican primary to replace term-limited Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater. Plasencia is battling Ed Rodriguez in the Republican primary with the winner taking on Rep. Joe Saunders, D-Orlando. Young, the son and namesake of the late, longtime U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., faces Joshua Black in the Republican primary to see who challenges Rep. Dwight Dudley, D-St. Petersburg.

"These outstanding candidates will do a fantastic job of representing their constituents in Tallahassee next year," said Crisafulli. "I look forward to working with them to help create jobs, improve our schools, and keep Florida moving in the right direction."

Crisafulli has waded into competitive primaries before, backing former Rep. Brad Drake over Jan Hooks in the Republican primary to replace term-limited Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, and Chris Sprowls over Debbie Faulkner to challenge Rep. Carl Zimmerman, D-Dunedin. The incoming speaker has also backed former Rep. Scott Plakon who is running against Rep. Mike Clelland, D-Longwood, but he is the only Republican in the contest.

"These six leaders will have a lot of momentum going into November and will help form the foundation for a strong Republican majority after Election Day," said Crisafulli.