Jacob Ogles
Looks like there won’t be a Lee County Commissioner that tries to make the jump to Congress in 2020.
County Commissioner Brian Hamman said he has decided now isn’t the moment to seek such an office.
“It’s more important to be able to come home, kiss my wife and kiss my babies good night every night and keep doing good work for the people of the county,” Hamman told Florida Politics. “I’m honored that they’ve chosen me to serve in this position and I’m going to keep doing good work for them.”
The news comes days after Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass also announced he would not run. Both men had considered a run openly since U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney said he won’t seek a third term in Florida’s 19th Congressional District.
One thing Hamman made clear is that he does not see a great void in qualified candidates.
“Looking at the Congressional race, I think we’ve got a great candidate on the Republican side,” Hamman said.
While he did not name a name, state Rep. Dane Eagle announced last week that he was running for the seat. Dane currently represents part of Lee County and serves as the House Republican Leader.
But Hamman said he cannot endorse for the election. He will serve on Lee County’s canvassing board in the 2020 elections. Eagle is not the only major Republican name in the mix.
Dr. William Figlesthaler, a Naples urologist, already opened an account with the Federal Elections Commission.
Reps. Heather Fitzenhagen and Bob Rommel told Florida Politics last week that they are still considering the seat. So did South Florida Water Management District chair Chauncey Goss.
Rep. Byron Donalds also has not announced a decision either way.
Meanwhile, former Minnesota House Minority Whip Dan Severson, Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson, former Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott, former state Rep. Gary Aubuchon and radio host Drew Steele have all been suggested as possible candidates by political observers.
