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Frank joins state District 57 House race

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By WILLIAM MARCH

wmarch@tampatrib.com

Published: November 3, 2009

TAMPA - Stacy Frank has filed to run for the District 57 state House seat currently held by Republican Faye Culp.

Frank joins a Democratic primary against Clifford Somers, but she'll be the best-known of the two candidates - she's a longtime lawyer and the daughter of Clerk of Court and longtime prominent political figure Pat Frank and retired appeals court Judge Richard Frank.

In a news release, Frank announced endorsements from several prominent Democrats including Rep. Kathy Castor; County Commissioner Kevin Beckner; Public Defender Julianne Holt; Tampa City Council members Chairman Thomas Scott, Linda Saul-Sena, Gwen Miller and Charlie Miranda; and former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman.

In her announcement, Frank said, "Our legislature needs to act responsibly, with an emphasis on lightening the taxpayer's burden while preserving essential services. We can make fiscally responsible decisions that do not mortgage Florida's future while preserving what we love about our state."

Culp is leaving the seat due to term limits.

On the Republican side of the race to replace her, there's already a crowded primary including Dan Molloy, Todd Marks, A.J. Matthews and Dana Young.

Frank, 55, has lived in Tampa since childhood. She's a graduate of Georgetown University and the Florida State University law school.

She runs a business in developing wireless communications facilities, which has led her into some controversy regarding a proposal to locate cell phone towers on public school property.

The district covers South Tampa and parts of Town 'N Country and Westchase. Local political insiders say the district can vote either Democratic or Republican, and the race is likely to be one of the more hard-fought local state legislative races.

Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761.

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