Let the speculation begin as Congressman Bill Young (R-Indian Rocks Beach) has announced his retirement. Young has been in public office for fifty years and in Congress since 1970. The former Appropriations Chairman has long been one of the more moderate Republicans in the Florida Delegation and has focused extensively on local issues.

This seat is a prime pick-up opportunity for the Democrats. Many potential candidates of both parties are out there, but one that just may be interested is former Governor Charlie Crist. Would he be the strongest possible Democrat in the race? From what I have gathered through the grapevine, while many Democrats active across the state may be gun shy about running Crist, his support remains rock-solid and intense in Pinellas County among members of BOTH parties. Several other Democrats elected to local office or former elected officials could be possibilities. One person who should not be considered is Jessica Erhlich the 2012 Democratic nominee whose candidacy was disastrous. 

On the Republican side, a deep bench sits in Pinellas County and while Democrats are crowing about the open seat possibility, short of running Crist, the race will be hyper-competitive.

As an aside I will be in St Petersburg this weekend for a soccer match and will sense the mood though it will certainly be unscientific.

Stories about Young’s retirement from the Hill and Tampa Bay Times. 

Much more on this potential race in the coming days.