The newest candidate for the seat in Congress that represents Lakeland is Eddie Geller, a 37-year-old entertainer and activist who recently moved to Brandon to run for the seat, The Ledger reports. Geller faces Jesse Philippe in the Democratic primary that will determine who faces Republican incumbent Scott Franklin of Lakeland next fall. He said he was motivated to run by seeing Franklin “vote to challenge the election results and perpetuate the big lie.” LINKS: Tampa Bay Times article | Campaign website | YouTube announcement

News Service of Florida reporter Dara Kam explores some tricky issues that could face Florida Chief Justice Charles Canady if his wife of 24 years, Jennifer Canady of Lakeland, succeeds Colleen Burton in the Florida House of Representatives. The Canadys respond that they will follow all rules and laws. “My husband has spent his entire career in public service meticulously following the law,” Jennifer Canady said. Florida News Service has allowed LkldNow to publish the full article: More

Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin of Lakeland has raised a “modest” $81,627 toward his re-election in the most recent quarter and has $153,244 cash on hand, while his two Democratic challengers have reported no funds yet in the current cycle, Florida Politics reports. A little more than half of second-quarter contributions came from individuals; the rest came from political action committees representing developers, agriculture and aerospace, among others. | MORE: Campaign finance reports