FLORIDA (TIP): Indian American Aakash Patel, a Republican running for Hillsborough County Commission, received the endorsement of Danny Burgess, a member of the Florida House of Representatives.

“I am honored to offer my support and endorsement to Aakash,” Burgess said. “He is a very successful businessman and I know he will take his strong drive and dedication to our community to the County Commission.  I am certain he will apply his conservative ideals and objectives to important issues in Hillsborough County and I look forward to working with him in that capacity.”

Last week, Patel had received the endorsement of District 2 Commissioner Victor Crest.

Last month, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Will Weatherford endorsed him.

The election is being held for the District 1 seat, which is being vacated by Sandy Murman, who is running for a four-year term from District 7.

Patel said, “I am honored to have Rep. Burgess support and endorse me in this county commission race. I have known Danny for a long time and I truly respect the work he has done to bring conservative policies to all levels of government he has served. From Zephyrhills City Hall to the Florida State Capitol, I appreciate all that he does, and I look forward to working with him on important conservative issues when I am elected to the county commission.”

Patel, who earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English Literature from Florida State University, worked at The Tampa Bay Times’ Tallahassee Bureau.

He is also a graduate of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Tampa (2012), FBI Citizen’s Academy (2012), Tampa Police Citizen’s Academy (2012), Tampa Bay Public Leadership Institute (2013) Leadership Tampa Bay (2011), and Tampa Connection (2010), and College Leadership Florida (2005).

He is enrolled in City of Tampa’s Mayor’s Neighborhood University, according to his LinkedIn profile.