Phil Ammann
Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly is holding a kickoff event Monday evening for his newly announced U.S. Senate campaign.
Jolly, who now represents Florida’s 13th Congressional District, will hold a rally starting 7 p.m. at Alfano’s Restaurant in Clearwater, during the monthly meeting of the Republican Club of Greater Largo.
Jolly is seeking the open Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination for 12016.
If Jolly wins, the Indian Shores resident and Dunedin native will be the first lawmaker from either Pinellas, Hillsborough or Pasco Counties to represent Florida in the Senate. So far, Jolly faces a crowded Republican field, including fellow U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis from North Florida, who is already in the race, and Jeff Miller from Northwest Florida, expected to enter the race soon. Also running for Senate is sitting Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and Todd Wilcox, a defense contractor.
After announcing his Senate ambition, Jolly immediately becomes the frontrunner with a 10-point lead, according to a new FloridaPolitics.com poll released last week.
Alfano’s Restaurant is in the Cypress Point Shopping Center at 1702 Clearwater Largo Road in Clearwater.
