Two Florida politicians on Tuesday announced a shift in campaign plans with new intentions to seek positions in Washington D.C. rather than state-level positions in the Capitol. State Rep. Jason Fischer (R-Jacksonville), announced he will run for Congress in a redrawn Northeast Florida district while Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell abandoned his pursuit of a U.S. Senate seat and will run in South Florida’s Congressional District 27.

Fischer, who was initially intending to run for the Duval County property appraiser this year, has served in the state House since 2016. He will now run in Congressional District 4 in Duval, Nassau and Clay counties. The district was redrawn in a reapportionment plan approved last month by the Legislature. The plan has drawn legal challenges, which, if successful, could lead to revamping District 4.

As of May 3, three other candidates have filed for candidacy: Al Robertson (D), Erick Aguilar (R), and Leigha Garner-Lopez (R). The Republican primary is set to take place on August 23.

“I am a conservative fighter with the record to prove it,” Fischer said in a Twitter post. “In Congress, I will stand strong for our conservative values and stop the Radical Left’s agenda.”

Russell, who raised $1.2 million for the Senate campaign, is the second Democrat to enter the race for the seat held by Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar.

Originally running for the Senate seat that Sen. Marco Rubio occupies, Russell dropped from the race as it became increasingly clear that Rep. Val Demings will likely win the Democratic primary. In dropping his candidacy, Russell gave an endorsement of Demings.

As with Fischer, the District Russell is running in, District 27, is being challenged in court. As it currently stands, the revised District 27 lines run along the coast of Biscayne Bay, from the south side of Miami to Cutler Bay.

It’s true. I support @valdemings to beat @marcorubio. And I am taking on @MaElviraSalazar for Congress FL27 https://t.co/pMsAcMmXew

— Ken Russell (@kenforflorida) May 1, 2022

Russell has already received an endorsement from former U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy. 

“Excited to endorse [Ken Russell] in his race for Congress. Ken has a track record of getting things done, particularly when it comes to Climate Change and Florida’s Water Quality,” said Murphy on Twitter.

Russell, who raised $1.2 million for the Senate campaign, is the second Democrat to enter the race for the seat held by Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar.