CANDIDATES State House District, Republican primary Kirk Headley-Perdue Age: 59 Occupation: Social worker, business owner Residence: Tallahassee native Education: Tallahassee Community College, Rhode Island School of Design, Tulane University Family: Son, Dalton Ann Yarko Age: 26 Occupation: Conservative activist, Florida State University communications-political science student taking a break for some real world experience Residence: Tallahassee Education: Attended Florida State University Family: Single

A football star got stopped just short of the goal two years ago, but the Florida Republican Party still thinks it can win a House seat in a heavily Democratic district that includes the state Capitol.

The state GOP's $25,000 contribution, and staff support, for candidate Kirk Headley-Perdue has drawn a protest from her opponent, Ann Yarko.

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Yarko — a conservative activist and Florida State University communications-political science student taking a break for some real world experience — says the party money smacks of the kind of king-making deals that helped lead to the downfall of former state GOP Chairman Jim Greer. Party headquarters says it's just making its best bet in the District 9 race.

Yarko wrote to the new chairman, state Sen. John Thrasher when she learned that the party provided the money — matched by $25,000 from Headley-Perdue — along with more than $3,000 worth of administrative support. She urged him to "let the Republican voters" decide the nomination.

"The Republican Party belongs to the Republican voters and not to insiders, staff and consultants," she said.

Yarko, 26, reported raising $4,923 for her first political race — about $1,800 from family members. Headley-Perdue's quarterly finance report showed $67,020 in contributions — including the $50,000 she and the state headquarters chipped in.

Headley-Perdue, 59, said she is "honored" to be chosen by the state party for an uphill race. She's a former classroom teacher and 30-year social worker.

"The party got to know me and chose to support me," she said. "I think my core values speak to what the people want."

She said she could bring "partnership and dialog" to the House, where Leon County has been at a political disadvantage in a Republican-run Capitol.

The district has never had a Republican legislator. Two years ago, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, beat Republican Peter Boulware by just 430 votes — out of more than 82,000 cast. In voter registration, Democrats outnumber Republicans 52,375 to 34,240.

Boulware, a former Florida State University football star, was recruited by Greer and the state GOP leadership for the 2008 campaign. The party poured money and staff into the race.

State GOP spokeswoman Katie Gordon Betta said Boulware "proved that this seat is viable for the right Republican."

"In a political environment that is ripe for Republican victories in challenging districts, the RPOF has provided financial assistance to Kirk Headley-Perdue to help her get a jump-start in defeating a well-funded Democrat incumbent," said Betta.

Dan Abel, chairman of the Leon County GOP, called the contenders "a great pair of candidates."