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Wilkinson to announce congressional race (?) Thursday

Posted Jul 1, 2009 by William March

Updated Jul 1, 2009 at 04:38 PM

Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson will make announcements Thursday in Brandon and Bartow about his future political plans—and while he didn’t say what he’s going to announce, it sounds a lot like a bid for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Adam Putnam.

Wilkinson said his announcement will be of concern to “150,000 voters in Hillsborough County.” That’s not too far off from the number of Hillsborough voters—actually about 166,700—included in the 12th congressional district, which covers parts of Hillsborough, Osceola and Polk counties.

Wilkinson, a Republican, would face former state Rep. Dennis Ross in a Republican primary for the seat. Putnam is vacating the seat at the end of his term to run for agriculture commissioner.

Wilkinson faces a term limit next year in his county commission seat, after three four-year terms. He’s also a former Polk school board member and unsuccessful candidate for the state Senate.