Dorothy Hukill aims to keep her spot in House 28

Dorothy L. Hukill, R-Port Orange, hopes to retain her seat in Florida House District 28 in the primary election this year. The incumbent abandoned her effort to replace U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, in October to return to Tallahassee. In attempting to retain her current spot, Hukill anticipates a leadership position under Rep. Dean Cannon, who is set to become House speaker in 2011.

Theresa A. Valdes, also a Republican, is attempting to replace Hukill, who Valdes has accused of “political deal-making.” Born to Cuban parents in Havana, Valdes moved to Louisiana in 1951 when she was 13, according to her Web site. The scant site also says that Valdes promises to stand “strong on the pillars of Conservatism,” while sections for her contact information and donations remain blank.