On Tuesday, former Senate President Tom Lee unveiled the backing of another prominent Florida Republican for his bid to return to Tallahassee -- U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross. Lee faces Rep. Rachel Burgin in the Republican primary for a state Senate seat.

“While I served in the Florida House,‭ ‬Tom Lee proved to be an outstanding leader,” Ross said.‭ “‬He never forgot his deep roots in Hillsborough County as a longtime Brandon-area resident.‭ ‬Alongside Jeb Bush and my Speaker Allan Bense,‭ ‬Tom took the reins of a bold,‭ ‬yet common-sense conservative agenda that aimed to improve the quality of life for families and job-creators in his community.‭ ‬He was a solid,‭ ‬homegrown conservative leader then,‭ ‬and he’ll be that same leader again.

‭“‬As south Hillsborough County’s congressman,‭ ‬I know from that experience that if Tom Lee goes to Tallahassee as its next senator,‭ ‬our constituents will be in the best of hands,” Ross added. “I’m excited to see Tom running for Senate,‭ ‬and he has my full endorsement.‭”