Drew Wilson
Republican Terry Power picked up an endorsement from a family law reform group for his HD 64 primary challenge against incumbent Rep. Jamie Grant.
The Florida Family Law Reform PAC said it was backing Power due to his involvement in advancing their agenda over the past six years. Among the PAC and Power’s proposals are a cap on legal fees in divorces, a social security offset to alimony and protections for second spouse income and assets.
“Terry has a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead, and creates new, exciting ideas on how to cooperatively address those issues for the benefit of his constituency,” said Michael McAuliffe, the CEO of the group. “He has the courage to tackle the tough problems, to engage the key parties involved, and work hard to forge an optimal solution that benefits all. We are delighted to endorse him for his Florida House campaign!”
Power filed to run against Grant in the Republican Primary for House District 64 in late November, throwing some shade at his opponent in the process.
The seat covers northwest Tampa, including Westchase, Northdale, and Carrollwood and northeast Pinellas County including Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, and eastern Palm Harbor.
The district is solidly Republican and has been held by Grant since it was drawn up after 2012 redistricting, though Democrat Christopher Orion Smutko and no-party candidate Andy Warrener have also filed for the seat.
In addition to incumbency, Grant has the financial advantage in the race with more than $60,000 raised and $32,226 on hand at the end of November.
Power’s first report, which only covered the last week of November, showed a lone $1,000 contribution from himself.
Though Grant has held a seat in the Florida House since 2010, a dispute over the voting process led to a rejection of the 2014 election results, leaving the seat vacant until Grant won a special election in early 2015.
That brief vacancy allowed Grant to begin anew the eight-year clock on his term limits in the 2016 general election, making him eligible to serve up to the 2024 election.
