Drew Wilson
Republican Rep. Ritch Workman announced a fundraiser for his Florida Senate campaign on June 9, and the host committee includes none other than House Speaker Steve Crisafulli.
The event will be hosted at the home of Alan and Marnie Landman in Indialantic, and the host committee includes Scott and Kim Glover alongside Crisafulli and his wife, Kristen.
The outgoing House Speaker’s inclusion on the host committee likely signals he has picked a side in the Senate District 17 race, which currently features Workman and fellow Republican Rep. Debbie Mayfield as well as Republican State Committeeman Michael Thomas and Democrat Christopher Duncan.
The newly redrawn seat, which covers Indian River County and part of Brevard, has a decidedly Republican tilt and has drawn interest from some of the biggest names in the district, including former Republican Senate President Mike Haridopolos, who decided last month he would skip running for the seat after teasing Workman would drop out.
That fact that Crisafulli favors Workman in the race isn’t all too surprising. As House Speaker, the Merritt Island Republican gave Workman the coveted position of Rules Committee chair and the pair were pretty much in lockstep throughout Crisafulli’s tenure.
Still, the move likely stings Mayfield, who has put a substantial chunk of her own money on the line to run for the seat.
Through April, the Vero Beach Republican led the pack in fundraising with about $196,000 on hand, including $200,000 in loans. Workman, through the same date, had about $95,000 in the bank and Thomas finished April with about $2,000.
For more information on Workman’s fundraiser, or to RSVP for the event, contact Beth Babington at 407-687-8739 or [email protected].
