In a surprise announcement, Steve Cona, a Republican running for the Hillsborough County Commission District 6 race this August, has announced that he is suspending his campaign. Cona had been running against Margaret Iuculano in the GOP race, with the winner to take on Democratic incumbent Kevin Beckner this fall.
In a press release issued this afternoon, Cona gives no reason for dropping out, only to give a somewhat generic comment that "after much consideration over the last few weeks, I feel my heart is more into being a father and husband than a candidate. I have a fantastic wife and two great children that I wish to spend more time with."
Cona is the chief operating officer of Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
On the surface this appears to be good news for Beckner, as Cona was considered the mainstream Republican in the race. Margaret Iuculano is more conservative, and now is the only candidate in the primary for the countywide seat.
However, fundraising-wise, Iuculano is doing slightly better than Cona. The latest reports from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office shows Iuculano having raised $38,048. Cona had raised $37,178.36.
This article appears in Mar 8-14, 2012.