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.