NEGRON CAMPAIGNS FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL ALONG I-4 THIS WEEK (UPDATED 10:08 AM)

While much of the attention of political pundits and writers seems to be concentrated on the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races, one should remember that there are other campaigns underway as well...and those candidates don't want you to forget, either.

The Lakeland Ledger reported this morning that State Representative Joe Negron (R - Stuart) and about 80 people braved the occasional rainfall to bring his "Wheels of Justice" campaign tour to downtown's Munn Park.

Negron is one of three Republicans seeking to replace incumbant Charlie Crist, who is running for governor. The others are former Congressman Bill McCollum of Winter Park and State Representative Everett Rice of Treasure Island. State Senator Burt Saunders of Naples announced Wednesday that he was withdrawing from the AG race and that he would finish his current senatorial term, which ends in 2008. The winner of the GOP primary will face off against Democratic State Senate Minority Leader Walter G. "Skip" Campbell of Taramac in the general election November 7.

Negron has the support of several high profile Polk County Republicans, including State Representatives Dennis Ross and John Stargel and State Senator Paula Dockery, all of Lakeland, and Sheriff Grady Judd. The candidate and Sheriff Judd reportedly met later in the day, and Negron toured the sheriff's STAR programme in Bartow (formerlly the Polk juvenille boot camp).

Negron's tour continues through this week along the I-4 Corridor.