House District 45 candidate Kathryn Starkey announced today she has picked up the endorsement of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker.

 “I am extremely honored to have the endorsement and support of Mayor Baker.  His endorsement means a lot to me and to my campaign,” Starkey said in a statement. “It is leadership like Mayor Baker’s that we need across the State of Florida, and my intention is to go to Tallahassee and work for the citizens of District 45.”

Baker “believes she has the enthusiasm necessary to implement conservative solutions and the experience necessary to get things done,” the statement says.

Starkey faces two fellow Republicans – Richard Corcoran and Fabian Calvo -- for the House seat representing parts of south Pasco and north Pinellas counties.

Although the primary is eight months away, campaign contributions are already high (Starkey has pulled in about $67,000 and Corcoran about $98,000), and the candidates in recent months have been firing off news releases about their latest endorsements.

Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writer

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