Immokalee rancher Liesa Priddy just rode into the race to succeed Rep. Lauren Melo in House District 82.

“I’ve admired and respected Lauren Melo for years and it is my honor to run to succeed her,” Priddy said. “Like Lauren, I’m a conservative Republican and I’ll follow in her footsteps of protecting our special communities in both Collier and Hendry counties.”

Melo, who first won election in 2020 , is running for an open Senate seat , opening the opportunity to seek the Southwest Florida post in the House.

Priddy is the fourth Republican to file for the open seat. Drew-Montez Clark , Bill Poteet and Hugo Vargas all already filed. To date, no Democrats have filed for the seat.

Along with husband Russell , Priddy operates the JB Ranch in Collier County. The Pridd

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