Florida Politics: “Gov. Ron DeSantis says Alcee Hastings’ former congressional seat will remain unfilled for more than nine months after Hastings passed away following a cancer battle in early April.
DeSantis announced Tuesday the General Election to replace Hastings will take place on Jan. 11. Primaries will be held on Nov. 2 to decide the respective parties’ nominees. The Governor said the qualifying deadline would be some time around the end of September.
That’s a far longer delay than the two most recent openings in Florida House seats.
When former U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler resigned his House seat, it remained open for three months before being filled. After the 2013 death of U.S. Rep. Bill Young, that seat sat open for five months.
DeSantis Tuesday said the state has coordinated with local governments on the issue. He explained the long lead time would help the packed field of candidates prepare for the campaign.”