Mike LaFevers (D), an AIDS activist who lives in Bradenton, filed papers late last week to run for the 13th district House seat now held by freshman Rep. Vern Buchanan (R), the Bradenton Herald-Tribune reported.

LaFevers attempted to run in 2006, but he failed to qualify for the ballot. Banker Christine Jennings (D) won the Democratic primary and she wound up losing to Buchanan by 369 votes — a result she is continuing to dispute in the courts and before the House Administration Committee.

Although Jennings refuses to talk about 2008, arguing that she still is focused on overturning the controversial 2006 results — she claims a badly designed electronic ballot is to blame for her defeat — it is widely assumed that she will be a candidate again regardless of how her appeals turn out.

— Josh Kurtz