McClain, Drake draw Democratic foes

After going months without opposition, state Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, and Rep. Brad Drake, R-Eucheeanna, appear likely to face challenges as they seek re-election to the Florida House. 

Fort McCoy Democrat Carl Griffin opened a campaign account Tuesday to challenge McClain in Marion County’s House District 23, according to the state Division of Elections website. The move came three days before a Friday deadline for candidates to qualify for the November elections. McClain, who qualified Monday, had raised $44,870 for his re-election bid as of May 31, a finance report shows. 

Meanwhile, Democrat Heath Rassner, who listed a Miami-Dade County address in election filings, opened a campaign account to run against Drake in House District 5, a Panhandle district that includes Holmes, Jackson, Walton, Washington and part of Bay counties. Drake had raised $56,200 for his campaign as of May 31.