Ocala's Kurt Kelly to Challenge Grayson
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
By: Tom Parkinson

There is now another Republican challenger competing for the seat of Orlando's controversial Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson. State Representative Kurt Kelly of Ocala announced yesterday that he would join a crowded field of Republican candidates in the 2010 congressional primary for Florida's 8th District. The field of candidates lining up to run against Grayson now includes former South Florida developer Armando Gutierrez, who recently moved to Orlando to run for the seat, Orlando attorney Todd Long and several activists from the Tea Party movement. Orlando businessman Bruce O'Donoghue is expected to enter the race soon. Other prominent Republicans have considered a run against Grayson and then backed out including Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul, former state Senator Daniel Webster and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty. Florida's 8th District is based in Orlando but stretches into eastern Marion County and includes including part of Ocala.