Danny Kushmer is seeking the Congressional seat being vacated by Dennis Ross.

BRANDON – Danny Kushmer announced Monday (April 16) that he will run for the open Florida Congressional District 15 seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross.

“After consulting with friends and family; with a great sense of humility, I will run for Florida’s 15th Congressional Seat,” Kushmer said. “The time has come to bring a new perspective to Congress.”

Kushmer, a third generation Floridian from southeastern Hillsborough County, has deep roots in agriculture. Kushmer is the executive director of the International Responsible Farming Council, a not-for-profit corporation telling the American farmer’s story through certification and participation in best management practices to ensure use of the latest food safety protocols. Additionally he is the director of environmental and regulatory compliance for Highland Precision Ag. From 2007 to 2016, he was the senior government affairs manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

If elected, Kushmer said, he will work for a balanced budget, expanded mental health care coverage through insurance reform, and to create a “presumption of compliance” for farmers and ranchers that incorporate best management practices, ensuring protection of our environment and water resources. Kushmer said he is a firm believer in term limits, supports term limits for both the U.S. House and Senate, and has pledged to serve a maximum of eight years (four terms) in Congress.

Kushmer, a Republican, lives in Brandon with his wife, Cally; three rescue dogs and a cat. They have four grown children. Kushmer is a graduate of the University of Florida’s Wedgeworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

CD 15  includes portions of Hillsborough, Polk and Lake counties. It is held by Ross, who announced last week he will not run for reelection.

This far, nine candidates have announced campaigns for the seat. Announced Republican candidates are Kushmer, Loretta “Leah Lax” Miller and Curtis Ralph Rogers. Democrats are Andrew Learned, who has qualified; Cameron Magnuson; Raymond Pena Jr.; James Gregory Pilkington; Jeffrey Rabinowitz; and Greg Williams.

The primary is Aug. 28. The general election is Nov. 6.

For information about Kushmer, go to dannykushmer.com.

Danny Kushmer | Dennis Ross | Politics | Elections | Tampabay News

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