State Rep. Dorothy Hukill (R) officially threw her hat into the race against freshman Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D) in the Orlando and Space Coast-based 24th district.

Hukill, a lawyer and former mayor of Port Orange, said in her campaign announcement Monday that leaders in Washington are out of touch with the needs of citizens in east central Florida.

“The choices being made in Washington will raise taxes on Florida’s families and burden our children and grandchildren with unprecedented new levels of debt,— Hukill said. “I think we can do better. That’s why I’m running to bring real fiscal responsibility and common sense to Washington.—

Hukill has already come to Washington, D.C., to meet with officials at the National Republican Congressional Committee.

She is the latest Republican to announce in the 24th district race, where the party seems destined to have a multi-candidate primary. Winter Park City Commissioner Karen Diebel (R), who has been highly touted by national party officials, filed her paperwork in early June.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Sandy Adams (R) said last week that she is also looking at the race and that a formal announcement about her plans should be coming soon, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Diaz-Balarts Enter GOP Endorsement Fray

The endorsement battle is heating up in the Republican Senate primary between Gov. Charlie Crist and former state Speaker Marco Rubio.

On Monday, Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R) — who both hail from south Florida districts — announced their support for Crist in what has become one of the most closely watched primaries in the country so far this cycle.

“Charlie Crist understands that freedom is under attack and it must be protected with clarity and firmness by the United States. He will be an effective Senator for Florida. I strongly support him,— Lincoln Diaz-Balart said in a statement.

The Diaz-Balarts’ endorsements come a little more than a week after Rep. Jeff Miller (R), who hails from the Panhandle-based 1st district, threw his support behind Rubio.

Rubio has earned big-name support from other social and fiscal conservatives such as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). But Crist is being backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, most of the GOP party establishment in Washington and retiring Sen. Mel Martinez (R).