Republicans pile into Panhandle House race

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

With Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, running for a Senate seat next year, Republican candidates continue lining up to try to replace him in a House district that is a GOP stronghold. Shalimar Republican Laurie Bartlett opened a campaign account Monday to run in 2016 in Okaloosa County's House District 4, according to the state Division of Elections website. Bartlett joined four other Republicans --- Wayne Harris, Armand Izzo, Mel Ponder and Jonathan Tallman --- who earlier opened accounts to try to succeed Gaetz. Meanwhile in South Florida, a second Republican has opened a campaign account to run next year for Palm Beach County's House District 86 seat. Laurel Bennett of Royal Palm Beach this month joined fellow Republican Stuart Mears, who earlier opened an account for the race. Also seeking the seat are Democrats Tinuade Pena and Matt Willhite. House Majority Leader Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, cannot run again in House District 86 because of term limits.