IT'S NOT ONLY THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES GEARING UP FOR NEXT YEAR

I checked out the Florida Division of Elections' Website, to check out if there were candidates who had already filed to run for office in next year's election, and discovered that quite a number of folks have done so. Many of them are incumbants, as you may have guessed, but some have already attracted opposition. Here is a list of the candidates who have filed in races that affect Polk County:

STATE SENATE: DISTRICT 15
Paula Dockery (R / Incumbant) - Lakeland Citrus Grower/Cattle Rancher/Insurer - Filed as a candidate 10/17/2005

STATE SENATE: DISTRICT 17
J.D. Alexander (R / Incumbant) - Lake Wales Citrus Grower - Filed as a candidate 2/07

STATE HOUSE: DISTRICT 63
Seth McKeel (R / Incumbant) - Lakeland Real Estate Agent - Filed as a candidate 2/06

STATE HOUSE: DISTRICT 65
John Wood (R) - Winter Haven developer - Filed as a candidate 2/13
Seat currently held by Republican and current Majority Leader Marsha L. "Marty" Bowen, a Haines City citrus grower who is term limited.

STATE HOUSE: DISTRICT 66
Baxter Troutman (R / Incumbant) - Winter Haven Citrus Grower and Employment Agency owner - Filed as a candidate 2/16

STATE HOUSE: DISTRICT 79
Mike Horner (R) - Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce President/CEO - Filed as a candidate 08/07/2004

POLK COUNTY COMMISSION: DISTRICT 3
Edwin V. Smith (R) - Lake Alfred Mayor - Filed as a candidate 02/23

POLK COUNTY COMMISSION: DISTRICT 5
Jim Brown (R) - Filed as a candidate 3/12