ROSS TO WITHDRAW FROM CFO RACE

Lakeland Ledger political columnist Bill Rufty reports this morning that State Representative Dennis Ross (R - Lakeland) will officially withdraw his candidacy for state Chief Financial Officer, although there was no mention of when.

Ross, who owns a majority partnership in his Polk County law firm, would have to sell if he were elected. He told Rufty that in that type of scenario any potential buyer, knowing that he was being forced to sell, could demand a much lower price...which, obviously, he would not want to accept.

As for other political options, Ross could run for another two year term for the District 63 seat which also includes a portion of Hillsborough County, but he told Rufty that such a case would not be fair to others who have made plans based on Ross' decision to seek the CFO spot. Lakeland City Commissioner and insurance agent Seth McKeel has already announced his candidacy for Ross' seat, with others ready to run for McKeel's commission seat.

Don't count Ross out yet. He is reportedly still looking for an appropriate statewide office to run for, but due to the divestisture rules it cannot be Governor or a Cabinet office. Lieutenant Governor Ross, maybe? He'll have to do some serious buddying up for such consideration.