Tampa, Fla. – Former Secretary of State, Circuit Court Judge and Federal Prosecutor Laurel Lee today announced her candidacy for Florida Congressional District 15. The newly drawn district encompasses Northeast Hillsborough County, along with parts of Pasco and Polk Counties. Lee’s deep roots in Hillsborough County, where she served as a Circuit Court Judge, go back more than 20 years.
“It was an honor serving Governor DeSantis as his Secretary of State, but I am ready to return home to Tampa and I am excited to throw my hat into the ring and ask my community for their support,” said former Secretary Laurel Lee. “I know what is at stake and how important it is that we send more conservatives to Washington. Skyrocketing gas prices, government overreach at every turn, a failed commitment to our military and securing our borders, and now, disturbing trends from government thinking they know what is best for our children and families. Congress needs leaders from Florida who will stand up for them, and I know I can be that voice for Congressional District 15.”
Former Secretary Lee was appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as Florida’s 36th Secretary of State in January 2019 and served in this position until May 2022. During her tenure as Secretary of State, Lee worked to strengthen Florida’s elections infrastructure and cybersecurity defenses, increasing voter registration and participation and ensuring accurate and secure elections in Florida. Following Florida’s successful 2020 election, Lee was recognized as a national leader on election policy and security. Lee also served as co-chair of the National Association of Secretaries of State Elections Committee, spotlighting the success of Florida on the national stage. Prior to serving in the DeSantis administration, Lee served as a Circuit Court Judge in Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, Florida, appointed by then-Governor Rick Scott. Before becoming a judge, Lee served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida. As a federal prosecutor, she investigated and litigated False Claims Act cases and initiated and prosecuted a wide range of criminal offenses, including white-collar crime, violent crime, and offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children. While in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lee served as the coordinator for the Violence Against Women Act, the coordinator for the interagency Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group, and as the lead prosecutor for the Child Exploitation Task Force, developed as part of a nationwide effort to combat domestic sex trafficking of children.
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| Paid for by Laurel Lee for Congress |