Drew Wilson
Dade City Republican Randy Maggard has added a couple more endorsements to his quiver as he seeks to replace former Rep. Danny Burgess in Pasco County’s House District 38.
The nods came in from Pasco Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning and Pasco Commissioner Ron Oakley.
“I have known Randy Maggard for many years and have known him to be an active leader in our community,” Browning said in a news release. “Randy’s character and integrity are second to none and I know he will fight tirelessly for our children and families in Tallahassee.”
Oakley added that Maggard has fought hard to clean up our environment and water as a member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
“Randy’s a principled conservative with strong character and the highest integrity. He will make decisions based on what’s right and wrong,” Oakley continued. “Randy doesn’t seek headlines, he just works hard every single day to improve the lives of the people of Pasco County. We need more people like Randy Maggard in our state capitol, fighting hard for us.”
The pair of pratiques add to the pack of Pasco pols backing Maggard. Oakley’s endorsement, handed down Friday, followed four other endorsements on successive days. Those endorsements came from Trilby Sen. Wilton Simpson, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano and Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore.
In addition to serving on the SWFWMD, Maggard is a businessman and former chair of the Pasco Republican Party. As of Monday, Maggard is the only Republican vying for the eastern Pasco seat left empty when Danny Burgess was confirmed as the head of the state Department of Veterans Affairs.
Wesley Chapel Democrat Kelly Smith, the vice chair of the Pasco County Democratic Executive Committee, has also formally declared, while former Tampa Rep. Shawn Harrison is rumored to be mulling a run.
HD 38 is a GOP stronghold, so if Maggard’s campaign were to face a hurdle, it would come in the Republican primary.
Any potential challenger would need to get their paperwork and petitions in by Feb. 8 or have their ballot fee paid by Feb. 11. The primary election, if necessary, will be held April 9. The general election is scheduled for June 18.
