In an e-mail to friends and supporters today, Hillsborough GOP chairman Al Higginbotham made it official: He's running for the County Commission seat being vacated by Ronda Storms as she seeks a pulpit in the Florida Senate.
Higginbotham wrote: "After great thought, prayer and consultation with Devon, Allen and Kaylon I have made the decision to file and run for County Commission District 4. As a conservative Republican!!!"
Higginbotham has greatly modernized the county's party machinery, recruited hundreds of new Republican foot soldiers and is greatly respected both locally and by folks up to and including Gov. Jeb Bush. He'll prove formidable.
Democrats have almost no shot in the highly conservative district. But other Republicans are rumored to be eyeing the race as well, including state Rep. Rich Glorioso from Plant City.
Higginbotham says he will step down as GOP chairman after the Lincoln Day dinner in February.