Drew Wilson
Clearwater Republican Ed Hooper announced Thursday that U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is backing his campaign for the Florida Senate seat currently held by Jack Latvala, who faces term limits in 2018.
“I am excited to have a partner to work with in Ed Hooper. I know of few better prepared to work on the issues important to Tampa Bay area citizens. Ed has dedicated his career to public service, especially helping our first responders and heroic military servicemen and women,” Bilirakis said.
“I look forward to working with Ed to ensure that our communities are the best places to work, live, and play. I am proud to support him as the next Senator for Florida District 16.”
Hooper touted the endorsement from Bilirakis as well as his fundraising numbers for November, which showed him with $60,000 in new money between his campaign and committee accounts.
“I made a push this past month. I am extremely pleased with the response received,” Hooper said. “I want December to be a quiet month so everyone can enjoy time with family, friends, and in the spirit of the season.”
Hooper has called the Clearwater area home for 45 years, including 24 years working for the city’s fire department. He served in the House from 2006 through 2014, when term limits forced him to retire and spent his three years out of the Legislature working as a consultant.
Currently, he is the only Republican candidate in the race, though he faces a challenger in Democrat Bernie Fensterwald, who had about $4,200 in his campaign account at the end of November.
By the same date, Hooper had $235,335 in his campaign account with another $93,098 on hand in his political committee, Friends of Ed Hooper.
