Burgin, Lee To Address Greater Brandon, Alafia Republicans (July 30)

Controversy-plagued District 24 Senate candidates state Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Riverview, and former Senate President Tom Lee, R-Brandon, are slated to discuss their candidacies July 30 at the monthly meeting of the Alafia Republican Club.

The meeting will be held at at 4330 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico. Social time starts at 6 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

Each will be given 15 minutes to speak with a short question-and-answer session following, according to club President Jeff Lukens.

The two Senate candidates have been embroiled in a battle over mailers sent out to East Hillsborough County residents that's played out in the media during recent weeks.

The clash has led to charges of ethics violations against Burgin.

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For more on this story, see the, written by editor D'Ann White, that includes information on the candidates' campaign finances (including top donors). 

Also expected to attend Monday's meeting and discuss his candidacy is U.S. Congressman Tom Rooney, R-Stuart, who is running for the District 17 U.S. House of Representatives, a new district created as the result of reapportionment from the 2010 U.S. Census. The new district include areas south of the Alafia River.

In addition, club member Deborah Cox-Roush, operations-volunteer coordinator for the Republican National Convention's Committee on Arrangements, will give an update what’s happening at the RNC and how local Republicans can participate.