TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Party Picks Traviesa Aide To Run For His 56th District Seat

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: August 15, 2008

  Rachel Burgin

TAMPA - The Hillsborough County Republican Party has chosen Rachel Burgin, legislative assistant to state Rep. Anthony "Trey" Traviesa, to replace Traviesa on the November ballot for the 56th District seat.

Party leaders chose Burgin this afternoon after interviewing nine candidates for the post. Burgin, 26, is a former assistant to Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair and is studying at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.

Traviesa stunned the party faithful and political observers when he withdrew from the race Tuesday. He said he was bowing out because he can't balance family, business and political responsibilities while meeting his own expectations to excel at all three.

State law gives responsibility for finding a replacement to the executive committee of the Hillsborough County Republican Party.

Burgin will face Lewis Laricchia, a Democrat from Valrico, in November's general election.

Her competition for the nomination included longtime Republican leaders and loyalists Sandra Murman, Mark Proctor, Ron Pierce, Jamie Wilson and Earl Lennard.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT