Pointing to her family's background in the cattle industry, a Polk City Republican has emerged as a candidate to replace outgoing state Rep. Neil Combee, R-Auburndale.
Josie Tomkow opened a campaign account Tuesday to run in House District 39, which Combee will leave after being appointed Friday as federal Farm Service Agency and Rural Development state director, according to the Florida Division of Elections website.
In a news release, the Tomkow campaign said she is a third-generation cattle rancher. House District 39 includes parts of Polk and Osceola counties.
“Florida's agriculture industry is too important to our economy,” Tomkow said in the news release. “I will stand with Florida's farmers and ranchers to make sure our state's policies protect and defend the values of our community.”
In a tweet during the weekend, Combee said he wants to stay in the seat through the upcoming legislative session, though he would know “for sure in a few days.”
