State Rep. Rachel Burgin To Oppose Tom Lee for Senate Seat

It's shaping up to be an interesting year in local politics.

State Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Riverview, formally announced this weekend that she'll run for state Senate, opposing Brandon Republican Tom Lee, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

In a statement released to the press, Burgin vowed to represent all constituents, not just special interests.

"The Senate needs true leaders that are willing to take a stand on behalf of the constituents they represent, not just the special interests that may want their vote," said Burgin. "The people of Florida have told us they want fresh faces, good morals, strong ethics and hard workers in Tallahassee who refuse to participate in politics as usual."

Burgin's announcement came on the heels of that she will abandon her reelection campaign for the Senate to pursue the Hillsborough County property appraiser's seat. Storms said she was motivated to run for property appraiser following current appraiser Rob Turner's admission to the Times that he sent pornographic emails to an employee.

Democratic state Rep. Bob Henriquez also is running for the local office.

Following Storms' announcement that she planned to relinquish her District 24 Senate seat, Lee, the former state Senate president, . 

Noting that her House district lies almost entirely within Storms' Senate district, Burgin said she shares Storms' conservative ideals and would be the logical successor.

Burgin was elected to represent House District 56 — which includes parts of Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Seffner, Valrico, Gibsonton and Lithia — in 2008, the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the House.

Born in Brandon and raised in Plant City, Burgin was subsequently reelected to the seat.

Prior to serving in the House, Burgin was a Hillsborough County Commission aide and aide to former state Rep. Trey Traviesa, R-Tampa.

In the House, Burgin, 30, serves as vice chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee and on the K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee.

She also serves on the Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee, State Affairs Committee, Insurance & Banking Subcommittee, Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee and the Rules & Calendar Subcommittee.

Burgin has a bachelor of science in Biblical Studies and now lives in Riverview.

Running for the District 59 House seat being vacated by Burgin is Republican Michael Floyd, 67, a retired law enforcement officer.

A public servant for 42 years, Floyd said he wants to continue serving and helping people.

Also seeking Burgin's seat is 33-year-old Joe Wicker, a Republican from Brandon who served in Iraq.

Wicker also serves as a member of the Hillsborough County Republican Party Executive Committee.