Frostproof mayor becomes seventh candidate in race for Florida House District 48

Frostproof Mayor Jon Albert is looking toward Tallahassee.

Albert, a member of the Frostproof City Commission since 2016, has filed to run for the Florida House as a Republican in District 48. He becomes the seventh candidate in the race for the seat, which is open as incumbent Rep. Sam Killebrew, R-Winter Haven, faces term limits. All seven candidates are Republicans.

“After carefully reflecting on my service in the United States Marine Corps, and my time as Mayor of a small Florida town, I’ve decided to enter this race to bring a real conservative business point of view to how we should continue to run our state government,” Albert said in a news release. “Inflation is killing family savings and credit. Insurance costs are making senior citizens worry about affording their homes. And, President Biden’s open borders have made every community less safe.”

Under Florida law, an elected official seeking another office must resign by the date they would take office, if elected. The resignation is irrevocable. Albert said he plans to resign before the election's qualifying period, which is June 10-14.

Albert, 44, graduated from Fort Meade High School in 1997 and attended Polk State College before joining the U.S. Marine Corps, the release said. During nearly a decade of service, he was stationed in Hawaii and North Carolina and deployed to Japan and Southeast Asia.

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While still on active duty, Albert earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political studies, followed by a master’s in business administration, from Chaminade University of Honolulu. After leaving the military, Albert settled with his family in Frostproof and has worked as a plant manager and general manger in manufacturing facilities across Central Florida, the release said.

Albert cited his role in helping Frostproof secure more than $3.5 million in state funding for infrastructure upgrades, including the conversions of homes using septic tanks to sewer service. He and his wife, Anna, have two grown offspring and own and operate a business with locations in Orlando, Jacksonville and Atlanta, the release said.

District 48 covers much of eastern Polk County, encompassing Winter Haven, Lake Wales and Frostproof. The other candidates who have filed are Jerry Carter, Chad Davis, Kenneth Hartpence, Deborah Owens, Amilee Stuckey and Benny Valentin.

Of the four Florida House districts that include Polk County, Democrats have filed to run in only two. All of the county’s six incumbent legislators are Republicans.

Gary White can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Frostproof mayor is seventh candidate for Florida House District 48