Three Democrats jump into Senate, House races

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, has drawn a Democratic challenger as she runs for re-election this year, while candidates continue to crowd into the race for an open Palm Beach County Senate seat, according to information posted on the state Division of Elections website. Winter Haven Democrat Debra Wright opened a campaign account this week to run against Stargel in Senate District 22, which includes parts of Polk and Lake counties. Stargel had raised $233,000 for the campaign as of April 30 and had nearly $196,000 cash on hand, a newly filed finance report shows. Meanwhile in South Florida, West Palm Beach Democrat Michael Steinger became the fourth candidate to enter the race in Senate District 30. He joined state Rep. Bobby Powell, D-Riviera Beach, Jupiter Democrat Tony Bennett and Palm Beach Gardens Republican Ronald Berman in seeking the open seat. Also this week, Cape Coral Democrat Graham Morris opened an account to challenge state Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, in Lee County's House District 77. Eagle had raised $75,886 as of April 30 and had about $4,200 in cash on hand, a finance report shows.