Amaro Lionheart withdraws from SD 14 bid, clearing the GOP nom for Josie Tomkow

Republican Amaro Lionheart has withdrawn from the Special Election for Florida Senate District 14, clearing the way for Rep. Josie Tomkow to earn the GOP nomination without opposition, assuming no one else jumps into the race, which is not expected. Lionheart was gracious in his exit, attributing his decision to “prayerful reflection and many conversations” with his family, supporters and community leaders. In a statement, Lionheart wrote that it was not an easy decision, but said “it is the right one for our residents, for our party, and for the future of our state.” He will instead run for Florida House District 64, in the race to replace term-limited Republican Susan Valdés. “I entered this race to fight for faith, family, law and order, and a stronger, freer economy that lifts working families and small businesses. Those values have not changed and they never will,” he wrote, adding that running for the state House “is the best path” for him “to continue serving our communities directly and effectively, bringing a strong conservative voice to the issues that matter most to our families.” He said that includes affordability, economic growth, education and public safety. Lionheart also offered his full support for Tomkow, who faces Democrat Brian Nathan in the General Election in March, assuming no other Republican enters the race. “Josie is a committed conservative who shares our belief in limited government, strong borders, support for law enforcement, and a pro-growth, pro freedom economic agenda. I look forward to working with her in unity as a future member of the Florida House, building a strong partnership between the Senate and the House to advance conservative solutions for our residents,” Lionheart said. Tomkow had already amassed significant support from Republican leadership, including Senate President Ben Albritton and Senate party leaders Jim Boyd and Jay Trumbull. She also entered the race with prominent backing from U. S. Rep. Laurel Lee; state Reps. Lawrence McClure, Traci Koster, Michael Owen and the House budget chief, Danny Alvarez; Sheriffs Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County, Grady Judd of Polk County and Chris Nocco of Pasco County; and Hillsborough County Commissioner Christine Miller. And she began her Senate campaign with $3 million cash on hand, sources tell Florida Politics. Tomkow had already emerged as the frontrunner for the GOP nod, after fellow Republican Melanie Griffin, Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, reconsidered her own bid and suspended her campaign. Assuming Tomkow remains unopposed for the GOP nomination there will not be a GOP Primary on Jan. 13. The General Election is scheduled for March 24. SD 14 favors Republicans slightly, with Republicans controlling nearly 39% of the electorate. Democrats account for just under 32% of district voters, while independents make up more than 29% of the electorate. Lionheart is the first Republican to declare for House District 64. Three Democrats are running Luis Salazar, Jose Sanchez Sanchez and Mike Suarez. As an open race, HD 64 will likely garner a lot of attention. Valdés shocked Democrats last December when she announced she was switching political parties, saying the party was ignoring her. However, the move came less than a week after Valdés lost a bid to chair the Hillsborough County Democratic Party.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/766022-amaro-lionheart-withdraws-from-sd-14-bid-clearing-the-gop-nom-for-josie-tomkow/