Tampa House Democrat Mike Scionti has announced that he will leave the Florida House this month to serve as U.S. deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.
The 41-year old Scionti is U.S. Army Reserve veteran who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was elected to the House in 2006 and re-elected in 2008.
His resignation will take effect December 13. Governor Charlie Crist will need to call for a special election to replace him.
The District 58 seat includes west Tampa and parts of Town 'N Country.
Scionti has been in the military since 2000, and has won several commendations since then.
Among those rumored to possible run for the seat include the former representative of the district, Bob Henriquez, as well as former Hillsborough DEC Chair Mike Suarez, political consultant Janet Cruz Rifkin, and John Rodriguez, Scionti's current legislative assistant.
The Tampa Tribune is reporting that Rifkin has already lined up endorsements from some top local Democrats, including Congresswoman Kathy Castor, former Congressman Jim Davis, and CFO Alex Sink.
Rifkin-Cruz does live in South Tampa, in State House District 57 – not District 58.
This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2009.