THE LOCAL RACES ARE BEGINNING TO SEE SOME ACTIVITY

With all the attention being focused on the "upper tier" races such as the U.S. Senate and Governor, those folks running for local and county level races are getting short shrift. But we are beginning to see some activity as candidates and potential candidates are working to get the necessary petition signatures to avoid the filing fee.

In Polk County there are only two Board of County Commission races, and only one of the Republican incumbants has given their intent to retain their seat.

In District 2, there are no Democrats in the race...yet. GOP incumbant Randy Wilkinson of Winter Haven is being challenged by Dave Hallock of Bartow, a retired executive with the Babcock home furnishings company, and Betty A. Hill of Lake Wales, a consultant and former owner of what is now the Florida Skydiving Centre.

It is still unknown if District 4 incumbant Paul Senft will run for reelection, although it is expected he will do so. So far, the only candidate who has filed is Winter Haven resident Jean Reed, an enviromential/growth activist, who lost in two previous tries.