U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee served on the bench with U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody when both were Judges in Hillsborough County. Now, the Congresswoman wants to continue serving with her in Congress.

Lee is endorsing Moody’s candidacy to remain in the Senate. Lee wrote about her support in an extended social media post.

“As someone who has proudly known Ashley Moody for many years, I am thrilled to endorse her to continue to serve as Florida’s U.S. Senator,” Lee said. “Ashley is not only an exceptional leader; she is a steadfast champion of conservative values, with unwavering integrity and dedication.”

The history runs deep between Lee, a Thonotosassa Republican, and Moody, a Plant City Republican. Both first held office in the 13th Judicial Circuit as Judges at a young age. Later, Moody won election as Florida Attorney General in 2018. Within months, Gov. Ron DeSantis, who won election the same year, named Lee as his Secretary of State.

Lee discussed seeing Moody in action in both those jobs.

“Her experience as a judge and Attorney General of Florida has equipped her with a profound commitment to justice and the rule of law,” Lee wrote. “Together, we have spearheaded critical legislation that bolsters public safety, enhances voter security, and supports law enforcement — key components of President (Donald) Trump’s agenda.”

Lee was elected to Congress in 2022 and secured another term in 2024. Meanwhile, DeSantis in January appointed Moody to fill an open Senate seat vacated by now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

At one point, there was speculation Lee might be appointed to the seat. DeSantis said he considered multiple sitting members of Congress, but ultimately could not go that way largely because Republicans hold such a small majority in the U.S. House.

Moody will stand for election in 2026, and Lee said she wants the incumbent to remain in that seat.

“Floridians will continue to benefit from her principled leadership and vision,” Lee posted. “I wholeheartedly support Ashley, and I encourage you to join me in backing a remarkable leader and dear friend. Together, we can ensure Florida’s future is strong and in experienced hands.”

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Republican Rep. Lawrence McClure is throwing his weight behind a potential successor, endorsing Ryan Gill as he runs to replace McClure in House District 68.

Gill, a fellow Republican and a local cattle rancher, is so far the only candidate filed for the race. McClure cannot seek re-election due to term limits.

“Our community needs leaders who will be relentless in pursuit of conservative, results-oriented solutions to Florida’s challenges. As a local businessman and longtime community leader, Ryan Gill will bring a Constitutional conservative’s perspective to the state Capitol. I’m proud to endorse him for the Florida House of Representatives,” McClure said.

Reps. Danny Alvarez and Mike Owen have also offered their support.

“Florida needs leaders NOW … not more politicians and Ryan Gill delivers,” Alvarez said.

“I’ve known Ryan for many years and he will fight day and night for his district. He is a pillar of our East Hillsborough community who understands how important it is that we protect our unique quality of life, stand up for our conservative values and protect our freedoms. He will be a phenomenal member and I can think of no one better to serve alongside in the Florida House.”

Owen, who previously served as a Hillsborough County Commissioner, said he’s known Gill “for many years” and trusts that “he will fight day and night for his district.”

“He understands how important it is that we protect our unique quality of life, stand up for our conservative values and protect our freedoms. I can think of no one better to serve alongside in the Florida House,” Owen said.

Gill is a cattle rancher who was born and raised in east Hillsborough. His family has cultivated the same land for more than 120 years. He and his wife of 18 years, Kaylie Gill, and their four children — Eli, Ella, Cuttler and Emma Grace — are keeping the agricultural legacy going by managing the family farming and ranching operations.

HD 68 covers a swath of northeastern Hillsborough County, including Plant City. The district is heavily Republican, with an electorate that’s 43% Republican and 27% Democrat, with the remainder composed of third- and no-party voters, according to the most recent L2 voter data.

McClure easily won re-election in the district in the only two contests since reapportionment. Last year, he defeated Democratic nominee Lisa Carpus 63%-34%. In 2022, he defeated Democratic nominee Lorissa Wright 68%-32%.

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Drew Wilson of Florida Politics contributed to this report.

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Before the men’s Final Four tips off Saturday in San Antonio, the women’s Final Four opens Friday in Tampa with Texas facing South Carolina (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), followed by Connecticut facing UCLA.

This year marks the fourth time that Tampa has hosted the women’s Final Four, more than any other city.

The games will be held at Amalie Arena, which has forced the Tampa Bay Lightning to play on the road for four straight games. The Lightning return home Wednesday.

The University of South Florida serves as the host school.

Three of the four teams remaining in the field were No. 1 seeds in their respective regions. Only Connecticut was a No. 2 seed.

There is plenty of history represented by the programs. Texas won a national championship in 1986 when the Longhorns went 34-0. In their first season in the Southeastern Conference, Texas shared the regular season championship with South Carolina, their opponent Friday.

The teams split a pair of games in the regular season, with each squad winning on its home floor.

South Carolina beat Texas 64-45 on March 9 in the SEC Tournament final. The Gamecocks have won two of the last three national championships, winning last year in an undefeated season and in 2022 when they beat Connecticut. They also won in 2017.

Connecticut boasts years of high-level success. The Huskies have won 10 national championships under head coach Geno Auriemma, the last coming in 2016 when the Huskies completed a perfect season with a convincing win over Syracuse. UConn’s 2015 national championship was won in Tampa.

UCLA has the least number of NCAA laurels in women’s basketball among the Final Four teams. The Bruins won a national championship in 1978 before women’s basketball became an NCAA-sanctioned sport. In those days, the game was managed by the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). It was not until 1982 that the NCAA began sponsoring women’s sports. This is the first time UCLA has earned a spot in the NCAA Final Four in women’s basketball.

Around the event, Tourney Town at the Tampa Convention Center runs until 5 p.m. while a Party on the Plaza at Cotanchobee Park is scheduled from 2-7 p.m. Gates open for the semifinal games starting at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday, a full day of festivities is planned for the area. Tourney Town opens at the Tampa Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Another Party on the Plaza at Cotanchobee Park runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The winning teams from Friday’s games will practice at the Amalie Arena beginning at 1 p.m. The practices are open to the public, but free tickets are required for entry.

A Saturday night concert at Curtis Hixon Park featuring DJ ReRe and GloRilla begins with doors opening at 6 p.m.

The National Championship game is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Tampa Chamber of Commerce estimates the region will gain more than $30 million of economic impact from hosting the Final Four.

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