Phil Ammann
State Rep. Matt Hudson, recently named Speaker pro tempore, announced he will run for the Florida Senate in 2016.
Hudson will be seeking the Senate District 23 seat currently held by term-limited Republican Sen. Garrett Richter, which covers parts of Collier and Lee Counties.
“Today I officially filed paperwork to become a candidate for the Florida Senate,” Hudson said in a statement Wednesday. “In the Senate, I promise to stand up for the same conservative principals as I have in the Florida House.”
Hudson, a Naples Republican, is vice president of operations for Lee County-based VIP Realty.
First elected to the House 2007, Hudson was recently selected Speaker pro tempore for the 2016 Legislative Session. His House District 80 includes portions of Collier and Hendry Counties.
In addition to his political career, Hudson has also served as Chair of the Golden Gate Fire Commission, president of the Rotary Club of Collier – Golden Gate, a member of the Collier County Productivity Community, the Collier County Revenue Commission and on the Golden Gate Community Emergency Response Team.
In the GOP primary set for August 30, 2016, Hudson could face Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, who already filed to run for the seat last November.
