Former Commissioner and Lawyer Robyn Hattaway filed for the open Senate District 19 seat, challenging Representative Randy Fine as he faces multiple state investigations. She billed herself as a “commonsense conservative” ready to lead.

“The hard work of conservative champions Debbie Mayfield and Ron DeSantis has put Florida on the right track,” the Merritt Island Republican said. “I’ll continue to fight for the issues that matter to our Space Coast neighbors, like cleaning up the Indian River Lagoon, defending our constitutional freedoms, expanding parental rights, and building a workforce that drives Florida’s economy into the future.”

- Advertisement -

Fine has struggled in gaining support for his race from voters that actually live in the district he’s running for. Roughly 10% of the money he’s raised has come from Brevard County. Most in his own fundraising host committee failed to actually donate to him as well. Despite boasting of over “$1 million” in the first month, his actual campaign account shows about $66,000 according to his own reports.

Hattaway is a Lead Brevard graduate and board member. She’s a partner at the Lacey Lyons Rezanka law firm in Rockledge.

- Advertisement -

Her biography states, “Attorney Hattaway believes strongly in volunteer work and has contributed to her local communities through such organizations as Brevard Public Schools, Literacy for Adults in Brevard, LEAD Brevard, Brevard Art Museum Council of 100, Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), Florida Supreme Court Justice Teaching Program, and 2-1-1 Brevard.”

She’s also a graduate of Emory Law School and former Port Commissioner in Cape Canaveral.

- Advertisement -

Despite Fine’s frequent self-published, inflated press releases, his campaign has almost no support from local elected Republican leaders. He also does not have the support of Governor DeSantis who recently vetoed his bill without his knowledge, and removed him from other high profile matters.

The election is still some time away, but we can expect to see immediate distracting negative hit pieces from Fine’s campaign that we’ve seen over the years.

He’s currently facing a hearing for multiple ethics violations stemming from extorting the city of West Melbourne last year. He’s also facing election fraud and campaign finance investigations for entering an underage, ghost candidate in his election.

So far, these are the only two candidates to file for the open seat being vacated by Senator Debbie Mayfield who has termed out. Fine has not been able to gain the support of either Senator that represents Brevard.

Already seeing the writing on the wall early on in his candidacy, Fine is already posting about possibly not running to accept other positions he says he’s been “approached” about. Inside sources say that he’s being offered the position in order to drop out of the race, rather than face DeSantis-backed opposition. We predict he will take the handout to save face.

- Advertisement -