Incumbent state House members continued lining up this week to run for re-election in 2018, according to filings with the Florida Division of Elections.
Candidates opening campaign accounts in recent days included Rep. Halsey Beshears, a Monticello Republican running in House District 7, which includes all or parts of Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla and Leon counties; Rep. Clovis Watson, an Alachua Democrat in House District 20, which includes parts of Alachua and Marion counties; Rep. Amy Mercado, an Orlando Democrat in Orange County's House District 48; Rep. Ben Diamond, a St. Petersburg Democrat in Pinellas County's House District 68; and Rep. Matt Willhite, a Wellington Democrat in Palm Beach County's House District 86.
Also this week, Republican Powell Shannon Elswick opened an account to run in 2018 in Lake County's House District 32. Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, cannot run again for the seat because of term limits. Similarly, Miami Republican Andrew Vargas opened an account to run in Miami-Dade County's House District 119.
Rep. Jeanette Nunez, R-Miami, will be term-limited from the seat in 2018.