State Sen. Ronda Storms announced today that she would halt her campaign for reelection in order to run for the office of Hillsborough County Property Appraiser.
The move sets up Storms for a primary race against incumbent Rob Turner, who has faced sharp criticism since allegations came to light earlier this week regarding inappropriate behavior with his human resources director.
“This is a trauma to the people of this county,” Storms said Tuesday at a press conference. “He has embarrassed himself, his office, and his county.”
She continued by saying the news was a shock to everyone who elected Turner as a conservative, pro-family candidate.
Storms cited her work with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and Due Process as primary examples of her previous work and how she would represent her constituents if she is elected as Hillsborough County’s Property Appraiser.
“I have a long history of understanding the issues and holding people accountable,” Storms said.
She said that she initially supported Turner’s work and that her office even endorsed him during his first run 16 years ago, but said that she has become “increasingly disappointed over the last five to six years.”
Storms said that her first priority as Property Appraiser would be to restore a sense of professionalism to the job. “This agency needs a strong leader and administrator,” she said. She added that Turner’s behavior could not remain unanswered.
“A woman needs to be the one to stand up and say this is not acceptable,” Storms said.
Storms believes that holding the office of Property Appraiser will be a challenge, even for her.
“We don’t know what we’re going to find,” she admitted.
There has been a great deal of support and enthusiasm for Storms’ decision, she said. She continued by saying that she was looking forward to the challenge and to restoring a sense of professionalism to the office of Property Appraiser.
For more information on Ronda Storms and her stint as State Senator, visit http://www.flsenate.gov/senators/s10.
