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Southerland gets another challenger

Rep. Leonard Bembry (D)
Rep. Leonard Bembry (D)

By Tom Flanigan

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-994209.mp3

Tallahassee, FL – Another candidate has entered the race for the congressional seat now held by Steve Southerland. Tom Flanigan reports a second term Florida lawmaker has thrown his hat into the ring.

State Representative Leonard Bembry of Greenville becomes the second Democrat to file for the 2012 election. The first was Panama City lawyer Alvin Peters who filed his papers last month, the day after former Florida lawmaker Nancy Argenziano did. She's running as a member of the Independent Party of Florida.

Bembry says he'll hit the campaign trail in between state legislative committee activity in Tallahassee. Incumbent Steve Southerland is a Republican who defeated the district's long-time congressman, Blue Dog Democrat Alan Boyd last year. In announcing his campaign, Bembry indicated he'd also push fiscally conservative policies if elected.