Dreikorn to announce plans Monday
Michael Dreikorn, a Pine Island resident, has pulled his name from the fall ballot for the congressional seat left vacant by the resignation of Trey Radel.
What he plans next remains unannounced.
Dreikorn held a press conference in Fort Myers Centennial Park on Friday and said he will not enter the Republican primary for the 19th Congressional District seat in August as previously announced.
He said he will seek another office.
Dreikorn, who received about 12 percent of the vote in the special Republican primary for the same seat, came in fourth behind Curt Clawson (38 percent), Lizbeth Benacquisto (25 percent) and Paige Kreegel (25 percent).
“I decided that to enter a race I can’t win makes little sense,” Dreikorn said. “I am applying my focus on the leadership challenges that we presently have in Tallahassee and I will announce my candidacy this coming Monday, May 12. I look forward to the continued support from the voters of southwest Florida.”
Dreikorn said he had decided to run for Congress because, “I am greatly concerned about the absence of honor, honesty and integrity in government. I am also deeply concerned about the direction this country has taken and I have no confidence in the leadership of either major political party.”
Unless Dreikorn relocates, there are two state seats up for grabs in November: State House District 76, where Rep. Ray Rodrigues is up for reelection this year, and the District 30 senate seat, where Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto also is up for re-election.
The general election is Nov. 4.
Dreikorn declined to comment on which office he plans to seek.
“I’m not quite ready, and I want to be sure I have the resources I need to win. I am working on some final details. Everyone will have to wait until Monday.”