Second Republican enters Fla. primary

Florida state Rep. Kathleen Peters (R) has filed to run in the race against GOP candidate David Jolly for the open congressional seat left by the late Rep. C.W. Bill Young.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Peters did not comment on the filing but announced a press conference for Tuesday morning. 

Peters is a former mayor of South Pasadena, and would run against Jolly in the GOP primary. 

Jolly announced his candidacy earlier this month. Beverly Young, the widow of the former congressman, said her husband asked on his deathbed for Jolly to run for his seat, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

{mosads}Young died in mid-October of complications related to a back injury. He served in Congress for 42 years, since 1971.

Jolly is a Washington lobbyist and a former aide to the late congressman.

For the Democratic ticket, Alex Sink is running and will likely be the party’s nominee. She previously served as Florida’s chief financial officer and was a gubernatorial candidate. 

The filing deadline for anyone interested in running for the seat is Tuesday at noon.

The special primary is scheduled for Jan. 14, and the general election on March 11.