- Ryan Chamberlin, an Ocala businessman and a past candidate for Congress, launched his campaign for House District 24 today
- Chamberlain is the second candidate to enter the TBD race to replace former Rep. Joe Harding
- Ocala business owner Jose Juarez also entered the race on Monday
Ocala businessman Ryan Chamberlin launched his campaign for the pending special election in House District 24 to replace former Rep. Joe Harding.
“Over the past several months, my wife and I had been approached by many people in Marion County about running for the seat being vacated by State Representative Stan McClain due to term limits,” said Chamberlin. “Although Stan was our Rep for years, due to recent redistricting, we would need to consider moving at least 1 mile or more from where we currently live because we know how important it is to keep true conservatives in the Legislature who will stand with Gov. Ron DeSantis against the establishment and woke liberals.”
Chamberlin, a former Republican congressional candidate, officially announced his candidacy in a press release on Monday, promising to pick up the mantle Harding carried in the fight to provide parents with more transparency inside the classroom.
“Our hearts were broken over the announcement made last week by Rep. Joe Harding that he was stepping down from his legislative seat. Joe has been a fighter who has been willing to put it all on the line for the conservative movement,” Chamberlain added. “There is no doubt that his commitment to principle and his being the co-sponsor of the “Parental Rights in Education” legislation made him a target for the left and the Biden Department of Justice. We need someone to step right up where he left off to continue to fight for the people and families of the free state of Florida.”
Harding resigned from the Florida Legislature last Thursday, 24 hours after he appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to a six-count indictment against him. He captured media attention earlier this year after he sponsored the controversial Parental Rights in Education legislation that limits education curriculum and dialogue.
Chamberlin is a consultant, writer, and public speaker. He was one of 10 Republicans running looking to succeed U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho in Florida’s 3rd Congressional District in 2020.
His entry into the HD 24 race marks the second GOP candidate to announce their campaign for the open seat. Jose Juarez, an Ocala business owner, also launched his bid today.
Chamberlin officially filed paperwork with the state as a candidate on Friday, and says he’ll run on a conservative platform that includes promoting pro-life legislation, upholding the Second Amendment, and securing the border.
“I have lived in what is now District 24 for over 35 years, and it seems that God was perhaps already leading me and my family to consider this next step of service. I filed my paperwork, and I will be working hard to earn the support of conservatives in Marion County. We will run an aggressive grassroots campaign and will be outlining a comprehensive vision over the course of the campaign that includes my commitment to the following
HD 24 encompasses all of Levy County and a portion of Marion County.