Vero Beach Mayor Robert Brackett announced on Monday that Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit Public Defender Diamond Litty has endorsed his campaign for state House. 

Bracket, a Republican candidate running for the Florida House of Representatives seat currently held by local attorney Erin Grall, touted the endorsement, noting Litty’s work and commitment to the voters who elected her.

 “Diamond Litty is a strong leader for our community and has already established a reputation for fairness, hard work, and a commitment to the voters that elected her,” Brackett said in a press release. “I am grateful for her support, and I look forward to working with Governor Ron DeSantis to keep Florida as the freest state in the union.”

Earlier this month, Representative Erin Grall announced her candidacy for the proposed Senate District 29, choosing not to seek re-election for House District 54, which she’s represented since 2016. The move comes as the House and Senate continue to hash out a redistricting plan for the Legislature.

Brackett emphasized that he would not be facing Grall in 2022, adding that he spoke with Grall before announcing his bid.

“Before I made the decision, I sat down with Erin and we discussed our plans, and we talked again (Monday) morning while she was driving back to Tallahassee,” Brackett said. “I’m not running against Erin Grall.”

Aside from Litty’s backing, Brackett also boasts the support of almost every constitutional officer in the county, including 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl.

Brackett, 58, is a managing partner in the family-owned Edge Information Management, which conducts pre-employment background checks. He is also a local developer with the Brackett Family Limited Partnership, a property management business.

He has served in a variety of positions in public service, most recently as the Mayor of Vero Beach. As part of his campaign, Brackett highlighted his long-time commitment to education, law enforcement and defending Floridians’ constitutional rights.

Brackett and his wife Samantha live in Vero Beach and have three adult daughters.