Broward Commissioner LaMarca weighs GOP challenge to Hasner in congressional District 22

Republican Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca, a former chairman of the Broward County GOP, is considering running for the Palm Beach-Broward District 22 congressional seat despite heavy Republican establishment backing for former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner of Boca Raton.

“I clearly want to look at it and see what the feel of the voters is,” LaMarca said this morning. “I count Adam as a friend, but I need to look at this.”

U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, holds the seat now. But with the legislature redrawing District 22 with a Democratic tilt, West announced he’ll run instead in more balanced Palm Beach-Treasure Coast District 18. After West’s announcement, Hasner dropped his Republican U.S. Senate bid to run in District 22, bringing nearly $700,000 in campaign cash and endorsements from West and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. Hasner has also been designated an “on the radar” candidate by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

LaMarca says he’ll probably decide within a week whether to pursue the congressional bid.

Democrats Lois Frankel and Kristin Jacobs are also running in District 22.