Government Digest: June 11 - June 17

Musical political chairs in Hillsborough
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY — Hillsborough County District 2 Commissioner Ken Hagan, with two years in his term remaining, filed for the at-large District 5 commission seat being vacated by fellow Republican Jim Norman.

Norman is running for the open District 12 state Senate seat against State Rep. Kevin Ambler, R-Tampa. That seat has been held by Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, who is term-limited.

Hagan officially resigns from the District 2 seat effective Nov. 16, the date he would become an at-large commissioner if elected. Norman has also submitted a resignation letter but with a Nov. 14 effective date. Hagan's opposition in the primary is Don Kruse, a car salesman. Also in the race are Jim Hosler, a planning consultant, and new entrant Rachel Renee Meeks. Both have no party affiliation. Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena, a Democrat, is also running. Crist is expected to now file for Hagan's District 2 seat. So far, there are 14 candidates for the District 1, 3, 5 and 7 seats. Districts 5, 6 and 7 are at-large seats.