Randy Cooper, commissioner for the West Manatee Fire Rescue, announced March 30 that he ended his campaign for the District 71 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
Cooper, a registered Democrat, said in a statement that his best efforts were “not enough” to stay in the race.
He said he would file paperwork in the next couple of weeks to formally end his campaign and will redirect his efforts to help Democratic candidate Tracy B. Pratt win the seat. She will face Republican candidate Will Robinson in the November general election.
“Tracy Pratt is smart, young, and a wife and mother, who will put the interests of the citizens and business in that area first, not special interest groups,” Cooper wrote in his statement.
Cooper announced in March 2017 that he would run for the seat, his first venture into state politics. He has served on the WMFR commission for 10 years.
Cooper wrote that he would offer refunds to donors “in accordance with state campaign finance laws.” He received $7,150 in contributions during the course of his campaign, according to the Florida Division of Elections.
The District 71 seat is occupied by Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, who has reached the maximum number of three two-year terms and is not eligible for re-election.
District 71 encompasses Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, west and south Bradenton and portions of west Sarasota.
— Bianca Benedí