The race for Florida State Senate, District 21 pits veteran Republican lawmaker Denise Grimsley against Democratic political newcomer Stacy Anderson McCland.

This redrawn district is sometimes referred to as the old JD Alexander seat. Alexander served this area well for many years in the state Legislature. Alexander was unable to run for reelection because of term limits.

Grimsley has served two terms as a state legislator from Highlands County. She is a registered nurse and a citrus grower.

As a state legislator she has focused on health and agricultural issues, two topics that are important to our area.

She is also a serious politician and campaigner. She amassed a campaign war chest that amounted to more than $850,000.

Her time as a state representative as a Republican in a Republican-dominated legislature should provide her with the opportunity to be an effective state senator.

McCland is a legal consultant for federal tax and banking issues for a tax software firm, Petz Enterprises Inc., with offices in Rome, Ga., McCland also serves as a corporate director for the family business producing orchids and growing trees near Kissimmee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, an MBA and a law degree.

Democrat McCland knows the issues and is a smart and capable campaigner. The only thing she lacks is hundreds of thousands of dollars in her campaign account. Her war chest has about $7,000 in it.

She has good ideas concerning education and would like to see state officials have a friendlier attitude toward local school officials.

If McCland is unsuccessful in her race against Grimsley we hope she continues to participate in the political process as she is a smart, quality candidate.

We believe that Denise Grimsley will be able to hit the ground running as our new state senator. Her experience as a member of the House of Representatives should allow her to serve on important committees and serve her constituents well.

We recommend Denise Grimsley for State Senate, District 21.