Rep. Josie Tomkow has officially thrown her name into the hat for the Senate District 14 Special Election to replace former Sen. Jay Collins , who is now serving as Lieutenant Governor.

She enters the race with prominent backing from U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee ; state Reps. Lawrence McClure , the House budget chief, Traci Koster , Danny Alvarez and Michael Owen ; Sheriffs Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County, Grady Judd of Polk County and Chris Nocco of Pasco County; and Hillsborough County Commissioner Christine Miller .

Tomkow is the second prominent Republican to join the race, following Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin entering the race earlier Friday .

A third Republican, Amaro Lionheart , is also f

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