Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie Griffin will not run for Senate District 14, multiple sources familiar with her thinking told Florida Politics Wednesday evening.

Griffin had announced Friday that she was joining the race to replace former state Sen. Jay Collins , who left the post to become Gov. Ron DeSantis’ No. 2 as Lt. Governor.

Her departure from the race clears the way for Josie Tomkow , who also entered the race on Friday , to be the clear frontrunner to replace Collins.

A source close to Griffin said her reconsideration came because “she wants to do what’s right for her family, her community, and the state — all of which she loves so much.”

Griffin’s departure leaves Tomkow as one of two Republicans running for the Hi

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