Bill Rufty
Anyone who had dreams of running for an open seat in the newly redrawn Senate District 26 should dream on for another four years.
Sitting in that seat is Sen. Denise Grimsley, a Sebring Republican who confirmed during a text message endorsement of Marco Rubio for president Monday that she is indeed running for re-election in the redistricted SD 26.
Grimsley, administrator of a hospital in Highlands County and another in Hardee County, had told at least one colleague that if the redistricting of Senate districts added more counties, she might have to consider options to running again.
Speculation then spread like wildfire.
Because of the extremely large Senate district, at least three House members indicated they were interested if she opted out. One reportedly had talked to Tallahassee money men about it.
SD 26 includes Okeechobee County and parts of Highlands, Martin, Osceola, Polk and St. Lucie counties.
Grimsley served eight years in the Florida House, rising to chair the House Appropriations Committee. She was elected to the Senate in 2012.
