House Seat 56: Having raised more than $119,000 and spent more than $74,000 by the end of July, Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Tampa, is the favorite to represent parts of Hillsborough County for two more years but her opponents will give her some problems. Veteran Dr. Marc Johnson is challenging Burgin for the Republican nomination and he has won the endorsements of the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune. However his fund-raising has been unimpressive, having pulled in more than $12,500. To his credit, he had more than $8,000 on hand at the end of July to use in the final weeks of the primary. The winner will take on Democratic candidate David Chalela -- an attorney who had more than $16,000 on hand at the end of July -- and a write-in candidate. Burgin is certainly the favorite, but she does not have the easiest of tasks in either the primary election or the general election.
House Seat 57: With Rep. Faye Culp, R-Tampa, retiring, three Republican attorneys are battling it out to replace her in this seat representing parts of Hillsborough County. Having raised more than $227,000 and spent almost $148,000 by the end of July, attorney Dana Young is the favorite to win the Republican nomination. Attorney Todd Marks raised more than $51,000 but had spent most of it by the end of July, with less than $4,500 on hand. Attorney Dan Molloy raised less than Marks but had more on hand at the end of July -- around $14,000. Young has to be considered a solid favorite over Marks and Molloy. Democratic candidate Stacy Frank, an attorney and business owner, will take on the winner of the Republican primary. Having raised more than $144,000 and with more than $130,000 on hand, Frank is a strong candidate. Add TEA Party candidate Matthew Russell to the mix and this race will command attention come November.
House Seat 58: Rep. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa, won a special election earlier in the year to represent parts of Hillsborough County and now looks to defend her House seat for the first time. The Democratic leadership likes Cruz and she is someone to watch. Her fund-raising totals have not been that impressive but she does not have any competition from either of the major parties. Strip club owner Joe Redner is running against Cruz with no party affiliation.
House Seat 59: Rep. Betty Reed, D-Tampa, will have another two years to represent parts of Hillsborough County. She is the only candidate in the race.
House Seat 60: With Rep. Ed Homan, R-Temple Terrace, stepping down due to term limits, two Republicans and two Democrats are seeking this seat which represents parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Former Tampa City Councilman Shawn Harrison raised more than $150,000 and had spent $106,000 by the end of July. Conservative activist Trey Stroud stands in Harrisons path to the Republican nomination. Stroud raised almost $38,000 in the race but had spent almost $34,000 of that by the end of July. Harrison should be able to defeat him for the Republican nomination. Political activist and retired Air Force officer Russ Patterson has posted solid fund-raising figures and, with more than $40,000 on hand, should be able to defeat Christopher Carlos Cano for the Democratic nomination. Harrison looks like the favorite but he is not out of the woods by any means.
