Local Republicans are still looking for another candidate against Democrat Janet Cruz in the county commission District 1 race, and lawyer and business owner Todd Marks is getting serious about the possibility.
This week, Marks met with a group of potential supporters he called "serious community leaders and donors," including prominent developer Hung Mai.
"I left with a strong commitment that if I run they'd support me," Marks said. "If I have the support and the financial backing it takes, I'll do it."
He said he's got more such meetings lined up "to see if that full-on support is there."
Newcomer Republican Aakash Patel filed in June and has raised a surprising 10,000 from Pinehill Capital Partners, owned by Garcia, a former Aviation Authority board member and prominent GOP donor, who lives near the airport and has frequently complained about noise.
The PAC also got 5,000 from Marshall J. Garcia, Martin Garcia's sister and brother.
Rubio backs McClure in D58
Sen. Marco Rubio is endorsing Republican Lawrence McClure in the special election for the state House District 58 seat in Plant City and east Hillsborough County.
In a written statement, Rubio said special elections are "all about turnout" and described McClure as "a solid conservative Hillsborough County Republicans can depend on" and a small businessman who knows the importance of growing the economy."
Rubio has endorsed in some but not all the recent special legislative elections. He has backed unsuccessful Miami state Senate candidate Jose Felix Diaz, House District 116 winner Daniel Anthony Perez, and House District 72 candidate James Buchanan.
McClure defeated Yvonne Fry in an October GOP primary and will face Democrat Jose Vazquez, Libertarian Bryan Zemina and no-party candidate Ahmad Saadaldin Dec. 19.
Contact William March at wemarch@gmail.com