Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff KottKamp announced his intention to run for state attorney general Monday.
Though a full, formal announcement is expected later in the week, KottKamp chose to announce his bid via a brief e-mail.
Vowing to lead the fight against crime, Kottkamp said in his statement: “With the difficult times we’re experiencing now, Floridians should at least be assured of safe neighborhoods that are free of crime … I pledge to put criminals who harm Floridians, whether physically or financially, where they belong, behind bars.”
Campaign spokeswoman Jill Gran said Kottkamp did not have time to make a “staged” announcement due to his duties as lieutenant governor. She expects a “video announcement” Wednesday or Thursday.
“We’ve got so much going on right now with his role as lieutenant governor, but since we filed the papers today it was a kind of, hey by the way, kind of thing,” she said.
Currently there is only one other Republican whom KottKamp will face in the primary, Fort Lauderdale attorney Jim Lewis.
Kottkamp will more than likely face one of two Democratic challengers, Sen. Dave Aronberg of Greenacres or Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, in the general election.
Kottkamp, an Indianapolis, Ind., native, moved to North Fort Myers in the late 1970s. He has served in the Florida House of Representatives since 2000, and has served as lieutenant governor since 2006.
Locally, Kottkamp has kept his Lee County roots firmly in place. He keeps a residence in Fort Myers, though recently he has come under fire for using state airplanes to fly between Tallahassee and Fort Myers.
Despite the complaints, Florida House Rep. Gary Aubuchon said the announcement signals a “great day for Florida,” and he looks forward to Kottkamp further representing Southwest Florida in a positive light.
“He is a man of integrity and principal,” Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, said. “As attorney general, I believe his methodical and steadfast approach will serve us well, and serve the state well.”