Arcadia -

Southwest Florida takes a splash into the race for the White House.
With more than a year to go before the election, there's a local candidate for the nation's top job.

Virginia Algar started introducing herself to the people of Desoto County Friday.
If she could do it a few million more times, Algar would be beside herself with hope of becoming the 44th president.

"I let everybody I talk to or say hello to even if i don't know them I say - 'hey, you know I'm gonna be running for president,'" Algar said.

Her major issues include taking care of veterans and the environment along with social security reform.
She's far behind the other major candidates like Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton or Mitt Romney, but she doesn't care.

Algar said, "I stand as good as they do because even though they have the name and the backing. I'm not intimidated by them at all."
For now, she's hitting the road. It's the dirt roads of Desoto County trying to make a name for herself.

Debbie Steele was one person the presidential hopeful spoke with.
"You never know until you try. Good luck to her. I wish her the best. Everybody needs a dream," Steele said.

Algar knows without millions of dollars, her race will be tough.
She says she's used to being without a lot of money.

"I've been where they say 'low on the totem pole, never made it high on the totem pole and in between,'" Algar said.

So could the first woman in the white house hail from Desoto County? George Lempenau thinks so. He said, "I think she can do a good job of it, she's got the right attitude that will get you there quicker than anything else."

\Algar filed all her paperwork, so far.

This is not her first time to run for office. She made unsuccessful bids for Desoto County Sheriff in 2004 and Desoto Commission in 2002.