Christopher Mitchell, a Democratic candidate for the District 47 state House street, is launching a petition drive this weekend to get his name on the ballot in 2010. Mitchell will face Michael Steinberg, former chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party in the primary.

In a news release, Mitchell said this: "Let there be no mistake, we are going to win this election in the primary and ALSO in the general. The voters are going to have a clear choice in this election, namely, a Progressive voice that represents the needs of the community or another Corporatist that pushes the interests of the Business elite. The Republican Party would be making a big mistake taking the voters of this district for granted come November."

So far, the Republican candidates in the race are retired Verizon executive Irene Guy; former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair; Richard Reidy, an aide to county commissioner Ken Hagan; and business owner Tom Aderhold.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer