BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County Commissioner Steve Champion plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee in the newly redrawn 15th Congressional District, provided lawsuits over the new map don’t upend his plans.
The three-term commissioner announced his bid April 30. The redrawn district, approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, would include all of Hernando and Citrus counties and parts of Pasco and Hillsborough.
Lee, a Brandon Republican, is the incumbent and plans to seek reelection, according to published reports.
Speaking after the County Commission’s land-use meeting May 5, Champion said he has less than four weeks to decide whether to qualify for the ballot.
“I stuck my name on the ballot because I believe we need some change in D.C., but it’s more complicated than that,” he said. “There’s lawsuits now around the lines.”
Champion said a Trump endorsement of Lee would end his campaign before it begins.
“If the endorsement stands for her, then I’ll bow out,” he said. “But if it doesn’t, then I plan on moving forward.”
He pointed to a 2024 social media post in which Trump called for “any good MAGA Republican” to run against Lee.
Champion acknowledged the financial gap. Lee has a sizable campaign account; he has none.
“I need the president’s Cabinet to not endorse her,” he said. “If they’re going to endorse her, then I respect my president and I’m going to go with that route. I’m not going into a losing fight.”