Drew Wilson
Republican Chuck Clemons announced Tuesday that former House Speaker Allan Bense endorsed him in the race for House District 21.
“Chuck Clemons has the right experience to be an effective and outstanding leader in the Florida House for North Central Florida,” Bense said in a statement. “A lifelong area resident, Chuck has a deep understanding of private and public sector finance. As a business owner, I’m keenly aware of the state’s need to find skilled workers. Chuck Clemons’s current work as a leader at Santa Fe College makes him uniquely aware of the importance of education and workforce development.”
Clemons, who is running in a three-way GOP primary for the Gainesville-based seat, said he greatly values an endorsement from a “Florida statesman like Allan Bense.”
“Allan Bense’s two years as Speaker will always be remembered for his conservative pro-business leadership of the Florida House,” Clemons said. “I appreciate his trust and look forward to discussing ways we can continue to move Florida forward.”
Clemons filed for the HD 21 seat after local businesswoman Wenda Lewis and shortly before three-term Republican Rep. Keith Perry announced he would forego his final term in the House to run for the newly redrawn Senate District 8.
Since his entry, Republican Timothy Rogers and Democrat Marihelen Wheeler have also filed for HD 21.
Lewis currently leads in fundraising, with about $155,000 on hand, though that total includes $100,000 in loans. Clemons is second in fundraising with $72,000 on hand, followed by Rogers with about $8,000 and Wheeler with about $2,000.
