As expected, Republican Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe just announced he's suspending his campaign for Congress, in which he would have faced Democratic incumbent Rep. Kathy Castor.
Sharpe said he's making the move because the district, under the new districting plan just passed in the state Legislature, makes Castor's district so heavily Democratic the race would be a waste of time.
"I've got to say, 'Is this the wisest way to spend a person's time and money,' " he said. "Is it wise for me to invest my time, your time and other people's money" in the race.
It's possible the district lines could change again as result of an expected lawsuit alleging the Republican-led Legislature gerrymandered the districts. Sharpe said he wants to see the results of the expected litigation, suggesting he could get back in the race if the district becomes more favorable.
Sharpe made his announcement on a talk radio show.
In response to a question about why the district was drawn to be so heavily Democratic, Sharpe said it was done that way to make surrounding districts safe for Republicans: "They see it as giving away one to save the others."
He recommended a fairer districting plan. "Let's just make the maps more contiguous and respect the county boundaries," he said.
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