Linda Ivell

The past state president of the Florida Republican Women’s Clubs and current Polk REC committeewoman, Linda Ivell of Lakeland, ended her campaign for the Florida House seat from District 64 today.

“Ironically, the difficult business environment that has wreaked havoc on others, now directly impacts my family,” Ivell said in a message to supporters and volunteer staff on why she is dropping out of the race.

She said that her husband, David Ivell, who works for PegasusTSI, which filed for protection during re-organization under Chapter 11 a week ago, will be fully focused on helping his company through the reorganization process and that she and her family will devote their time to giving him support.

“This is a very personal calling for our entire family,” Ivell said.   “The engineering community in Polk County is a small one.   These are not just jobs at stake; these are families that we know personally who are affected.”

Her announcement leaves former Polk County Commissioner Neil Combee, for whom the county administration building is named, as the only Republican candidate and the favorite candidate. Democrat Carol Castagnero is also running for the post.

Linda had lots of factors going against here in this race.  She is a sitting member of the grievance committee which basically kicks Republicans out of the party for not being Republican enough.

The race is to fill the seat of Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who is leaving the post to run for the state Senate seat from District 15 left vacant by Sen. Paula Dockery, another Lakeland Republican, who is running for governor.

Adam Putnam

This past Friday 27 Florida House members rejected the Republican Party principles of smaller government, less taxes and endorsed a big government Wilsonian Progressive Republican.  These Florida House of Representatives Members endorsed Adam Putnam for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Representative Tom Anderson; Representative Rachel V. Burgin; Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon; Representative Steve Crisafulli; Representative Marti Coley; Representative Faye Culp; Representative Christopher E. Dorworth; Representative Jim Frishe; Representative Rich Glorioso; Representative Tom Grady; Representative Denise Grimsley; Majority Leader Adam Hasner; Representative Doug Holder; Representative Ed Homan, M.D. ;Representative Mike Horner; Representative Matt Hudson; Representative Paige Kreegel; Representative Debbie Mayfield; Representative Seth McKeel; Representative Ralph Poppell; Representative Bill Proctor; Representative Ron Reagan; Representative Kenneth L. Roberson; Representative Kelli Stargel; Representative Baxter Troutman; Representative Will Weatherford; Representative Trudi Williams

Putnam currently a Congressman for the 12^th District of Florida represents exactly what the Tea Party protests have been against.  Putnam has voted for TARP (Bailout) Illegal Alien Amnesty Bill, Patriot Act,  Real ID, and the FDA  Food Control Bill.

Adam Putnam has and will increase Government Power and Government Spending.  He is a tool of the special interest.  Just a look at his campaign contributions will show you that he is being bought off by Monsato, US Sugar, Florida Phosphate and other huge corporations that get special favors from the State of Florida.

If you ask me I know 27 Members of the Florida House that should not be re-elected.  Putnam is on track to become a career politician.  If elected as Commissioner his plans would call for staying in the office for a term, then moving on to something else most likely the Gubernatorial and then Presidential Election.

If the citizens of Florida are true to the calls I have heard at Tea Parties calling for Smaller Government, Less Spending, More Individual Freedom & LIBERTY then dump Putnam.   Putnam will not serve the People of Florida.  He will serve himself and the special interests.

Kelli Stargel has filed as a candidate for the Florida State Senate, District 15. This seat is currently held by Paula Dockery who has announced her gubernatorial campaign. Florida State Senate District 15 is composed of portions of Polk, Hernando, Sumter, Lake and Osceola counties.

“I am announcing my candidacy for the Florida State Senate because we need people in Tallahassee who have the right values, the right experience, and will make the tough but right choices,” Kelli Stargel stated.

“We need to turn our state’s economy around. I want to ensure that our hard earned tax dollars and being used efficiently. Most importantly we need to encourage businesses to produce good paying jobs. To do this, we must have fiscal conservatives who will control the state budget, limit taxes, and wisely invest in the future,” Kelli Stargel said.

“We cannot have a vibrant, diverse, and growing economy without a well educated and flexible work force. That requires education reform and that has been and will continue to be my focus,” Kelli Stargel promised.

“I am not a career politician; I am an average citizen who has been afforded a great opportunity to make a difference for the people of Central Florida. It has been a privilege to serve in the Florida House and I’m honored that so many have encouraged me to run for the Florida Senate.”

Kelli Stargel is a 6th generation Floridian and lives in Lakeland, Florida. She and her husband John have been married for over 25 years. They have 5 children: three teenagers living at home, a daughter serving overseas as an officer in the US Army, and a daughter who was recently married.

Representative Stargel was elected in 2008 and currently serves as the State Representative for District 64 in the Florida House. She is currently the Vice-Chairman of the PreK-12 Appropriations Committee, and also serves on the Education Policy Council, PreK-12 Policy Committee and the Public Safety and Domestic Security Policy Committee.