Politics

Ex-Senate President Tom Lee Scores Primary Victory Over Rachel Burgin

By: Jim Turner | Posted: August 14, 2012 11:15 PM

Around the State

Tom Lee

Republican voters declared they want to send former Senate President Tom Lee back to Tallahassee, opting for the longtime legislator in an ugly contest against Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Riverview.

Lee drew support in the new District 24 contest from Senate President-designate Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and the two senators contending for the 2016 presidency, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater.

See results here.

Rep. Rachel Burgin

Burgin, a conservative Christian first elected in 2008, received support from a Tallahassee-based electioneering group, The American People Committee, which was linked to Tallahassee lobbyist Jack Cory and tried to tie Lee to Hillsborough County’s troubled property appraiser and to marital infidelity.

The mailer, which Burgin has claimed no knowledge of, drew a sharp rebuke from Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry, as well as from Gaetz, Gardiner, Latvala and Negron.

Lee, who served as Senate president in 2004-2005 before running for Florida's chief financial officer post in 2006, will now take on Democrat Elizabeth Belcher of Seffner and a write-in candidate in November.

Belcher, a retired law enforcement officer, has raised just $8,905 in the Republican-leaning district.

Besides the outside support, Burgin spent $129,582 of the $141,678 she had raised as of Friday.

Lee, of Brandon, heads to the general election with more than $100,000 remaining from the $333,825 he had raised.

Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.

Tags: Andy Gardiner, Associated Industries of Florida, Don Gaetz, Elizabeth Belcher, Jack Latvala, Joe Negron, Lenny Curry, News, Rachel Burgin, Republican Party of Florida, RPOF, Tom Lee, Politics

Comments (4)

William

10:47PM AUG 15TH 2012

No one should ever use their position like that. She was supposed to be a Representative, not a singer. People have gotten fired for using their position for personal gain. Rachel should have stayed clear of this...it shows a conflict of interest. This is why she lost. She needs to show interest in the people, not seeking applause for singing.

Joe

9:48AM AUG 15TH 2012

Maybe Ms. Burgin can now concentrate on her "singing" career! NOT! I was at an event where she sang the National Anthem and I was left wondering why an elected official would use her position to showcase herself and her secret fantasy of being on American Idol. It was very sad to see this, especially since she really isn't that good of a singer. Her voice was very shaky and I have heard REAL trained singers do a much better job. But because she was an elected official, she was given a free pass to sing at a bunch of events and they probably turned down some really great singers because of her position. Well now she was turned down by the voters since she spent too much time looking at herself in the mirror. Keep your singing in the shower Rachel!

Lenny

5:23PM AUG 15TH 2012

Rachel was trained in voice performance on the college level for 3 years. Perhaps you should get your ears checked Joe.

Joe

10:21PM AUG 15TH 2012

@ Lenny....like I said....I've heard better. Obviously you're sad that she lost. But look on the bright side! You can now follow her singing "career"! NOT! I could care less how long she studied voice....she's no opera singer. Get your feelings checked...she needs another 3 years because she's not that good.