ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) - Democratic State Rep. Lindsay Cross plans to return to Tallahassee after the November election.
“I plan to be re-elected, and I can't wait to go back to Tallahassee to serve the people of District 60,” Cross said.
District 60 includes Eastern Pinellas County, from St. Petersburg up to the St Petersburg Clearwater International Airport. Cross is facing St Pete Councilman and Republican Ed Montanari.
“I've gotten elected twice in citywide races in St Petersburg, and I've got friends on both sides of the aisle,” Montanari said. “I am a moderate Republican. I'm a Ronald Reagan Republican.”
Cross defeated her Republican opponent two years ago by 6,000 votes during a wave of election losses for Democrats in Florida.
Experts are billing this race as one of the most competitive Florida House races.
“I’m really proud of the work I've done to help improve our natural environment and address issues around affordability,” Cross said. “We need real reforms, real accountability for home insurance. I've also been really focused on flooding.”
Montanari also has a plan of action, if elected.
“Addressing the property insurance issue and home affordability. Those are my top two priorities,” Montanari said.
University of South Florida Political Science Professor J. Edwin Benton said it's likely Cross will keep this seat. He believed it’s tough for the GOP to keep the supermajority with issues, like Amendments 3 and 4, on the ballot.
“It's going to be a challenge for Republicans to keep that supermajority given then, I think, what's swirling around on the national scene in the Presidential race. The Democratic Party has been re-energized with Nikki Fried,” Benton said.
So far, Montanari has not listed the governor on his endorsement page. Benton said the lack of an endorsement also makes this race competitive.
“DeSantis does not have the track record of helping people win. If anything, it may be a blessing in disguise that this Republican candidate for this seat does not have the DeSantis endorsement,” Benton said.
Campaign finance records show Rep. Cross has raised and spent more than her Republican opponent.