U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson not seeking re-election

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson (R- Fla.) will not seek re-election in November, his office confirmed Thursday.

The congressman wants to spend time with his aging father and family. His term ends January 2017. After a short two years in office, Clawson said he would like family to be his main priority.

“Since my mother’s passing last year, our family has gone through significant change and transition. I believe that now is a good time to pass the baton and spend more time close to home,” he said.

Clawson has been in Southwest Florida since 1993, according to his website. He won a special election and was sworn into office in June 2014 after Rep. Trey Radel resigned following a cocaine bust. He delivered a national response to the President’s State of the Union Address on behalf of the Tea Party in January 2015.

Several people have jumped at the opportunity to take his seat, including: former representative Paige Kreegel and son of former a CIA director, Chauncy Goss.

The only person filed to run for U.S. representative for Florida Congressional District 19 is Democrat Valencia St. Louis Larose, who announced in December 2015. Kreegel said he will file paperwork for the office in the next few days.

Candidates have until noon on June 24 to file and qualify for the race.