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Politics & Government

'Endorsement' Flap Adds Heat to District 24 Senate Race

Former Florida Senate President Tom Lee faces state Rep. Rachel Burgin in the Aug. 14 Republican Primary for the state Senate seat being vacated by Ronda Storms, who is running to become the next Hillsborough County property appraiser.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida has not and will not endorse anyone in the District 24 face-off between Republican state Senate candidates Rachel Burgin and Tom Lee.

“He’s staying out of that primary,” said Jaryn Emhof, a spokesmen for Bush. “We communicated to both campaigns that we are not getting involved several weeks ago."

The Tampa Tribune cited Bush’s backing in an editorial endorsing former Florida Senate President Lee earlier this month, much to the ire of state Rep. Burgin, R-56.

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Bush’s office has since asked the paper to make a correction, Emhof said.

Lee of Brandon called the race the "dirtiest campaign I’ve ever been a part of in 20 years in public office."

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This week a flier impugning Lee was mailed to homes in Eastern Hillsborough County. The flier mentioned Lee’s marriage and pictured him alongside Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Rob Turner, the incumbent candidate embroiled in a sex scandal.

"The fact that they would even raise the circumstance of someone’s personal life . . . ," said Lee. "The truth is they have nothing positive to say about their own candidate so they have to resort to running me and my family down. It may be the only Hail Mary they have, but it doesn’t work. People know me too well in this community.”

Burgin of Riverview said she didn't know about the flier, but that it "does raise questions that should be answered."

Lee is running against Burgin in the Aug. 14 Republican primary, for the seat currently held by Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, who is running for Hillsborough County property appraiser. The primary winner will face Democrat Elizabeth Belcher of Seffner in the fall for the right to represent Senate District 24, which includes Lithia, Riverview and Bloomingdale.

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