DeSantis sets election for vacant Florida House seat in Miami-Dade after group sues
DeSantis sets election for vacant Florida House seat in Miami-Dade after group sues
Less than a week after the ACLU Foundation of Florida filed a lawsuit hoping to force his hand, Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered a special election for a vacant Florida House seat in Miami-Dade County.
DeSantis released an executive order Wednesday afternoon, setting a primary election date of Oct. 3 and a general election date of Dec. 5, if necessary, to fill the seat.
Formerly held by Juan Alfonso Fernandez-Barquin, the seat has been vacant since Fernandez-Barquins resignation from the House on June 11. Fernandez-Barquin, a Republican, was appointed by DeSantis to serve as Miami-Dade County clerk of court and comptroller. DeSantis announced the appointment on June 9.
Though the dates of the election were just set, House Republicans have already begun preparations for the race to represent a majority-Hispanic district in southwest Miami-Dade that leans Republican. Daniel Perez, a Miami Republican who is in line to be the states next speaker of the House, has already announced his endorsement of attorney Michael Redondo.