Florida Sen. Jack Latvala is running for governor, having filed the paperwork Friday and making public announcements Tuesday.

He spoke in Hialeah in Miami-Dade County on Tuesday and also had a stop planned in Clearwater.

  • Latvala first elected to Senate in 1994
  • Refers to himself as 'old school Republican'
  • Will speak in Clearwater this afternoon
  • Reporter Trevor Pettiford has more during afternoon newscasts

Latvala's political career spans 15 years, being first elected to the Senate in 1994 and returning to the Senate in 2010.

The 65-year-old legislator spoke about last weekend's violence in Charlottesville, Va.

"Very senseless violence cost us three lives up there this week, two first responders who were just trying to do their jobs," he said. "That's all they were trying to do like the first responders who are up here with us today."

Latvala referred to himself as an "old school Republican." He was the first chairman of the Republican College Federation in Florida in the early 1970s.

"I guess in that respect you can call me an old school Republican, but what that also means is I am a Republican who will never sell out to anyone."

Latvala joins a crowded field of GOP candidates wanting to succeed Gov. Rick Scott, who can’t run again because of term limits.

Latvala is seen as the first potential challenger to current Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, who is also running for governor.

On the Democratic side, Rep. Gwen Graham and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum are the big names in the race.