Bill Rufty
Former 10th Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Doyel officially filed late last week to run as a Democrat for the Florida House.
House District 41 is within eastern Polk County. Doyel is the fourth candidate to open a campaign account for the seat being vacated by Rep. John Wood, a Winter Haven Republican, who will reach his eight-year term limit next year.
There are also three GOP candidates in this district, which has slightly more registered Democrats than Republicans and a sizable segment of independent voters.
Lining up for what will be a Republican primary for the House seat, Aug. 30, 2016, are former 2nd District Court of Appeal Judge Charlie Davis, Polk County Commissioner Ed Smith and Republican fundraiser and activist Sam Killebrew.
There has not been a resident Democrat from Polk County on the legislative delegation since 2000.
