Former Rep. Dennis Ross, the Republican candidate looking to take the congressional seat U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam is vacating, called on his Democratic opponent Lori Edwards Wednesday to resign as Polk County supervisor of elections.

With Adam Putnam leaving Congress to run for state agriculture and consumer services commissioner, Dennis Ross, a former state representative, is a heavy favorite over Tea Party activist John Lindsey for the Republican nomination. Ross has put together an impressive fund-raising operation with more than $489,000 from individuals, $256,000 from PACs, more than 20,000 from the party and $25,000 of his own funds.

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.