Drew Wilson
State Rep. Bob Rommel has earned the support of the Florida Retail Federation in his bid for a second term representing Collier County’s House District 106.
“As an entrepreneur and business owner himself, Representative Rommel knows how important it is to reduce burdensome regulations and pass legislation making it easier for businesses to prosper,” said FRF President/CEO R. Scott Shalley. “Rommel has been focused on creating jobs and supporting Florida businesses and we know he’ll continue this focus during this next term in the Florida House.”
Rommel, a Naples Republican, co-owns three restaurants with his business partner, including Bistro 41 in Fort Myers and Bayfront Bistro in Fort Myers Beach.
Rommel was elected to the state House in 2016, replacing now-Sen. Kathleen Passidomo. His only true challenge last cycle came in the Republican primary, where he took 52 percent of the vote in a three-way race against Nick Ballo and Lavigne Ann Kirkpatrick. In the general election his only opposition came from a write-in candidate.
This year Rommel won’t face an opponent in August, but he will face one in November.
Challenging him for the coastal Collier seat is Democrat Sara McFadden, a small businesswoman who became politically active in the 2016 election cycle and elected as a state committeewoman and appointed as a vice chair for the state party in short order.
Through June 22, Rommel had raised more than $125,000 for his re-election bid and had $108,822 banked. McFadden has the edge with $110,867 in the bank, though her total includes $100,000 in candidate loans.
HD 106 has a hefty Republican advantage. The most recent book closing report from the Florida Division of Elections shows Republicans make up 55 percent of the district’s voters compared to a 21 percent share for Democrats. The seat also voted plus-29 for Donald Trump two years ago.
Election Day is Nov. 6.
