Mitch Perry
Democrat Frank Alcock is wasting no time in preparing for his formidable challenge running against Republican Greg Steube in the Florida Senate District 23 race — and he’s doing it on wheels.
Dubbing it “Tour de Frank,” Alcock — an associate professor of political science at New College of Florida and frequent television commentator — will begin a Labor Day weekend 100-plus-mile bicycle tour of the Senate district, which includes Sarasota County and parts of Charlotte County.
“I want to demonstrate my commitment to the people and places that comprise the 23rd Senate District by spreading a message of unity, determination, and respect for the community,” Alcock said in a statement released early Wednesday.
Alcock’s itinerary will kick off at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Cape Haze Trail Head, and will feature three different stops along the way, as it will on Sunday, and four on Monday. Alcock says he welcomes all members of the community “across party lines” to join him for “scenic riding, pleasant music, friendly conversation, and cool refreshments” along the way.
It will conclude at 5 p.m. on Monday at College Hall on the New College campus.
Alcock defeated his youthful opponent, Frank Cirillo, 58 percent to 42 percent, in the Democratic primary Tuesday night. He now moves on to facing Steube, who has had a strongly conservative record while serving in the Florida House District 73 district for the past six years. Steube took 31 percent in Tuesday night’s crowded GOP primary in SD 23, defeating four other Republicans.
The two men are running to succeed Nancy Detert, a Republican moderate who automatically was elected to the Sarasota County Commission in June when no other opponent qualified to oppose her.
