Democrat Christopher Mitchell has withdrawn from the race for the District 47 state House seat. Republican Kevin Ambler is term-limited out of the post. In a news release Mitchell said: "Unfortunately I was unable to achieve necessary objectives to give us an opportunity to challenge for this seat and I am deeply disappointed."

That leaves Democrat Michael Steinberg without a primary opponent in August. According to the most recent campaign finance reports, Mitchell had raised a little more than $6,500 for his campaign. Steinberg has more than $60,000, which includes $50,000 of his own money. This is Steinberg's fourth run for public office. His chances this time, he said, depend in part on whether Democratic candidate for governor Alex Sink inspires voter turnout in the party and which direction independents lean. "You might see the independents voting for Republicans nationally and Democrats locally because they want a change," Steinberg said. Mitchell said he'll be helping Steinberg with his campaign.

The Republican field in the race is crowded. The candidates: businessman Tom Aderhold; former Hillsborough County Commissioner  Brian Blair; attorney James Grant, the son of former state Sen. John Grant; retired Verizon executive Irene Guy; and Richard Reidy, legislative aide to Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan.

Janet Zink, Times Staff Writer