With U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam vacating his congressional seat to run for commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, a three-way race is shaping up as a serious challenger to the Democrats and Republicans has emerged on the Tea Party line.

The 12th Congressional District contains most of Polk County but also portions of Osceola County as well as the eastern part of Hillsborough County. Bartow, Brandon, Lakeland, Plant City and Winter Haven all fall in the district.