Flanked by two Big Bend sheriffs, state Rep. Charlie Dean announced his candidacy Tuesday for the Florida Senate and picked up the endorsement of the incumbent.

Dean, R-Inverness, said he would not resign from the House before the end of the session unless a special election is called sooner than anticipated. State Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Crystal River, still has two years left in her term in District 3, but is expected to be appointed to the Public Service Commission.

"Nancy and I have talked this over," Dean said. "She had a lot to do with the timing of this announcement."

Argenziano, who did not attend Dean's announcement news conference, said she will vote for him if she gets the PSC appointment.

"Charlie was the only guy respectful enough not to be standing out there with a tape measure, looking at my office and ready to move in," said Argenziano. "I'm not appointed to anything yet, and I'm not so arrogant to think that it will happen. Furthermore, I will never presume to tell anyone how to vote.

"But I will tell them how I will cast my vote and I would be voting for Charlie Dean, if there is an election, because he would be the most representative of the district."

Argenziano added, "The people of my district have put such great trust in me that I'll ask them to trust me on this."

Dean brought Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell and Wakulla County Sheriff David Harvey to the steps of the Old Capitol for his announcement. Both men said they worked with Dean during his 16 years as Citrus County sheriff and thought he would make a capable state senator.

"He's a friend of many years," Campbell said. "I'm supporting Charlie because he's a hard-working, honest, elected official."

Harvey said, "He's a known quantity."

State Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, and Richard Corcoran, former chief of staff for House Speaker Marco Rubio, are also planning to seek the Senate seat if Argenziano goes to the PSC. The sprawling district extends from Baker to Leon County across the northern part of the state and south to parts of Marion County.

Much of southern Leon County is in the district.