Drew Wilson
Treasure Coast businessman Toby Overdorf announced Thursday that he will run for House District 83, the seat currently held by termed-out Republican Rep. Gayle Harrell.
Overdorf, who opened a campaign account on March 2, is currently the only candidate running for the seat, which covers parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties.
“With the right policies in place, I have no doubt that Florida’s best days are ahead of us,” said Overdorf. “For too many years, I’ve seen firsthand how too much regulation and excessive taxation strangle our free enterprise system. We’ve got to unleash entrepreneurs and small business owners to innovate and pursue expansion that will put more people to work.”
Overdorf founded Crossroads Environmental Consultants, a company that helps other business navigate through environmental regulations, and currently works as the Environmental Division president of EDC, Inc., a Treasure Coast land development firm.
“Experience has taught me how important it is for us to have a strong conservative voice in Tallahassee,” he said. “I look forward to working hard to make sure government serves the people and not the other way around. The fact that I am a small business owner and science-educated gives me the ability to be a unique voice for my constituents.”
HD 83 leans toward Republicans with 45,338 registered GOP voters compared to 40,409 registered Democrats.
Harrell, who has held the seat since it was redrawn in 2012, has won her elections with comfortable margins over Democratic challengers.
In 2016, she bested Democrat Crystal Lucas 54-45, and in 2014 she didn’t face a challenger on Election Day. In 2012, the first cycle after the seat was redrawn, Harrell only faced nominal opposition from write-in candidate Dana Kaye Conaway.
