CFO CANDIDATE BEING PRESSURED TO STAY IN THE LEGISLATURE

The Lakeland Ledger is reporting this morning that State Representative Dennis Ross (R - Lakeland) is being encouraged by legislative leaders and local supporters to seek reelection to the House for two more years until term limits cut in.

Ross, whose district includes southeastern Hillsborough and west central/southwest Polk counties, announced in late 2004 that he would seek the CFO position being vacated by incumbant Tom Gallagher, who is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination. He withdrew earlier this year after learning that election law would force him to sell Lakeland his law firm.

Lakeland City Commissioner Seth McKeel is the only announced candidate in the District 63 race, and Ross said he will remain loyal to his promise to McKeel that he would not seek his House seat next year.

"Dennis is a very honorable man," said McKeel, who like Ross is a Republican. "I am running hard and we are on schedule.

McKeel, 30, denied that he has received pressure from the leadership in the Florida House of Representatives to step aside for two years and let Ross seek the 2006-2008 term before term limits cut in.

Some lobbying groups and local supporters say they want Ross, a veteran committee chairman, to stay for the final two years of his eight-year term limit. Ross said he won't break his word not to run against McKeel unless there is "a change in circumstances."