Lunsford Ponders Political Career

Father of slain 9-year-old might run for House if seat is vacated by Dean

By Mike Wright
Chronicle

Mark Lunsford considering Running for House is seat is vacated

State Sen. . Nancy Argenziano’s possible rise to the Public Service Commission may inadvertently bring a huge name to Citrus County politics:

Mark Lunsford.

Lunsford said Wednesday he is considering running for state House of Representatives in a special election that could occur this summer

Lunsford, who has become a national child-protection advocate following the kidnapping and murder two years ago of his daughter Jessica, said he will decide next week after meeting with a political consultant

The Homosassa truck driver is a Republican and has never run for office.

“Next week I’ll know for sure,” he said. “I’ve got an appointment with someone who will help me decide. That’s a big step. It’s a big responsibility. It’s just a thought, dude.”

Candidates are jockeying for races that haven’t yet been set. Everything hinges on whether Gov. Charlie Crist picks Argenziano for one of two slots on the PSC.

If that happens and Argenziano resigns from the Senate, state Rep. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, said he will run for the vacant District 3 Senate. Rep. Dennis Baxley, R­Ocala, and Crystal River attorney Richard Corcoran, the former House chief of staff, are in that race as well if it happens.

Lunsford said he would run for the House seat that Dean vacates.

Crist would likely call special elections for both the House and Senate seats this summer with shorter-than-usual periods for qualifying, primaries and the general election.

Jessica Lunsford’s killer, John Couey, was found guilty March 7 of kidnapping, rape and murder. He is awaiting sentencing; a jury recommended the death penalty.

Lunsford said no one talked to him about running for office and he knows it won’t be easy

“There’s a lot of issues at hand, not just with children,” he said. “Someone like me, just a truck driver turned advocate, there’s a lot I’d have to learn about what the community wants as far as working in Tallahassee.”

Lunsford said there is a lot to learn.

“I don’t think it’s anything I couldn’t handle,” he said. “They couldn’t put anything on the table that I couldn’t find an answer for. But you’re talking about a very big change of life.”

He added: “People would have to understand, I need their help more than I ever had. I know a lot of these people won’t be shy in telling me. The people who support me now, I need to hear from them.”

Lunsford said he called Argenziano for advice.

“Nancy let me know right off the bat that it is not a cakewalk, but she also said I’d be good for the people,” he said.

Argenziano could not be reached for comment Wednesday

The state House race would likely draw plenty of candidates. Michael “Joey” White, who has lost races for state House and school board, has already filed paperwork to run in the District 43 race.

Lunsford said he realizes his candidacy would draw some people into the race and push others away from it. “That should either scare them off,” he said, “or they better come in there and find out what the people want.”