Stone to run for state representative

Marion County Commissioner Charlie Stone has filed his papers and publicly announced his candidacy for State Representative in District 22. Stone is the Chairman of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and represents District 5. He was elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. As a commissioner, he says he has advocated tirelessly for lower taxes, less regulation, and fiscal restraint. In a news release, Stone says he has also been a leader on economic development issues, working with the chambers of commerce and the economic development commission to bring more and better-paying jobs to Marion County.
“Stone is a proven conservative and a leader that the people of our community can trust,” said fellow County Commissioner Stan McClain. “Charlie Stone has been a friend to our small businesses, to our seniors and veterans, and to me personally. I am looking forward to working with him as a State Representative with the same enthusiasm that I worked with him while we have served together on the County Commission.”
Stone is also a member of the Ocala-Marion County Chamber of Commerce and has been a long-time resident and business leader of Marion County. Under the most probable scenarios, the re-districting process will cause a vacancy in the District 22 seat, creating an opportunity for Commissioner Stone to serve in Tallahassee.
“As a county commissioner, I have fought to keep government lean and taxes low, and we have set the table for a Marion County economic recovery that is ahead of the rest of the state,” said Commissioner Stone. “As a state representative, I want to take those same principles of fiscal restraint to Tallahassee and work to bring jobs and prosperity back not just to my home area but also the entire state. Florida’s best days are just around the corner.”