Mitch Perry
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is the latest Republican to back Plant City businesswoman and activist Yvonne Fry in the House District 58 special election taking place later this year.
“I have known Yvonne Fry for many years and I know that she is a committed Conservative who will defend our Conservative values,” Bondi said.
“She will lead with experience and tenacity when she gets to Tallahassee, will stand up to special interests and always represent the will of the residents of District 58,” Bondi added. “She is the only person who is qualified to be your next State Representative and I am excited to offer her my endorsement.”
Fry is competing against businessman and Hillsborough County Farm Bureau board member Lawrence McClure in the Oct. 10 Republican primary election to succeed Dan Raulerson, who stepped down with more than a year left in his term last month, citing health reasons.
“Attorney General Bondi’s leadership on the state and national levels on behalf of the State of Florida and her strong resolve on conservative issues is inspiring,” Fry said. “Her hard work to eradicate human trafficking is a calling that she and I share. I am extremely proud and humbled to receive her support and endorsement, but most importantly thankful for her leadership. I look forward to working with her in Tallahassee.”
Bondi is the first statewide elected Republican to endorse in the race. In fact, when it comes to endorsements, Fry is running away from McClure in the district that encompasses northeastern Hillsborough County.
In addition to Bondi, the Fry campaign says that they are now also being endorsed by former Gov. Bob Martinez, Hillsborough County Tax Collector Doug Belden, former Plant City Mayor Randy Larson and former Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti.
The special election primary will be held Oct. 10 and the general election will be held Dec. 19, just a month before state lawmakers head back to Tallahassee for the 2018 Legislative Session.
Jose Vasquez is the lone Democrat in the race to date. Libertarian candidate Bryan Zemina and non-party-affiliated (but Green Party-oriented) candidate Ahmad Saaldaldin round out the field.
