On the same morning Speaker Paul Ryan announced his retirement, Florida GOP Rep. Dennis Ross announced he won't seek a fifth term this fall. Florida's 15th CD, encompassing the outer Tampa suburbs, voted for President Trump 53 percent to 43 percent in 2016 and reelected Ross with 58 percent. But in a Democratic wave environment, it could be more competitive.
Florida's filing deadline is May 4. There is a deep bench of local Republican officeholders in the 15th CD, and both parties will have about three weeks to find a quality candidate. Democrat Andrew Learned, a 31-year-old Navy veteran, led the Democratic field with only $22,000 in cash on hand last December, so others are likely to take a look. This seat moves from the Solid Republican column to Likely Republican.
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