LAKELAND — When the 2018 legislative session begins Tuesday, about 161,000 residents in Polk and Osceola counties will be without a representative in the Florida House.

Any concerns they may have must now be relayed through another representative or a District 39 staff member after Neil Combee, R-Polk City, resigned in November for a job as state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.

"It will have a negative impact," said Bill Read, a Lakeland city commissioner who represents the Northeast District of the city that is included in House District 39. "We could always use a voice no matter if we're for or against it."

Read mentioned an upcoming road-construction project at State Road 33 and Interstate 4 that will need local support from legislators.

"It would help to have more push up there," Read said.

County Commissioner George Lindsey said Combee might not be missed given a recent lack of support from him and other legislators on local issues, such as a broader homestead exemption that impacts local revenue.

"Based on recent events, I'm glad the seat is vacant," Lindsey said.

Lindsey said he expects the remaining Polk County delegates to help with any issues.

"I don't think anyone will go without someone being sympathetic of their position," Lindsey said.

But the vacancy might mean important financial needs could go unfilled because of a lack of representation, Lindsey said.

Republican Rep. Ben Albritton of Wauchula said he and other members will attempt to help District 39 residents.

"I know the people in 39 may be worried not having somebody in the slot," Albritton said. "None of us ever get everything we want, but it won't be because Neil isn't there.

"It may be just because the system can't fund those issues," said Albritton, whose District 56 covers Southwest Polk, Hardee and Desoto counties.

A member of the House since 2010, Albritton said he's never encountered the issue of working without a representative in Polk.

Neither has Rep. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland.

Burton noted that District 39 staff members will still be in the office through the session.

"They can also reach out to me," Burton said, adding that she's not concerned about the void in District 39. "We're ready to step in and help."

Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said she represented many of Combee's former constituents in the past when she served in the House from 2008 to 2012.

Stargel worked on a bill in 2017 with Combee that would have expanded gun owners' rights in Florida by allowing concealed-carry permit holders to bring guns to church for protection.

That bill died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Stargel agreed with Burton and Albritton that they will work to help the district.

"I'm already helping those constituents," Stargel said. "I'm not a real stickler on lines," she said, referring to district lines.

Former Ledger Political Editor William Rufty said there is no reason residents should go an entire session without representation.

"I've seen them before have a primary within a month then a general election after that," Rufty said. "To leave a district totally unrepresented for an entire session is inexcusable."

The 39th District isn't alone.

This year, more than 1.1 million Florida voters won't have a representative in one of the legislative chambers, according to the News Service of Florida.

The reasons are resignations and the recent death of Rep. Don Hahnfeldt, a Republican from The Villages.

More than 300,000 registered voters in Pasco and Pinellas counties will be impacted in Senate District 16 after the resignation of Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala. Latvala announced his resignation in December after an investigation by a retired judge that found he likely violated state corruption laws by trading legislative favors for physical contact and for sexually harassing and groping multiple women.

In Polk and Osceola counties, The 112,000 registered voters in District 39 will know who their new representative is by May 1. Jennifer Spath, 34, of Bartow, will face Josie Tomkow, 22, of Polk City, in a Republican primary election Feb. 20. The winner will face Democrat Ricky Shirah, of Kathleen, on May 1.

John Chambliss can be reached at john.chambliss@theledger.com or 863-802-7588.