Mitch Perry
Panhandle-area Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz is endorsing Aakash Patel in his bid for the District 1 seat on the Hillsborough County Commission.
“Proud to support my longtime friend @pateltimes in his run for the Hillsborough Commission!” Gaetz tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
Proud to support my longtime friend @pateltimes in his run for the Hillsborough Commission! #Patel2018 cc: @MikeFischerFL #sayfie #flpol
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) August 30, 2017
Patel is running for the seat being vacated prematurely by Commissioner Sandy Murman next year. Murman intends to leave the seat she won re-election to in 2016 so she can run in the countywide District 7 in 2018. Since Murman’s decision is not official yet, the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections office lists Patel as running in 2020.
Democrats Yolie Capin and Janet Cruz are running for the seat as well. Capin has already announced her intentions, while Cruz has yet to file papers formally.
Gaetz was elected to serve in Florida’s 1st Congressional District last November, after serving six years in the Florida House. He is the son of longtime former state lawmaker Don Gaetz.
