On January 25, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced special elections to fill three state House seats left vacant after the previous occupants joined his gubernatorial administration. A special primary is set for April 9, and the special general election is on June 18. The filing deadline for candidates is February 8.

 

The three seats on the ballot are District 7, District 38, and District 97. The former representatives resigned in January 2019 to fill positions in the governor’s administration. Rep. Halsey Beshears (R) of House District 7 became Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Rep. Danny Burgess (R) of House District 38 became Executive Director of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D) of House District 97 became Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

 

As of November 7, 2018, Republicans held 73 seats in the Florida House of Representatives to Democrats’ 47. All 120 seats were up for election last November.

 

Under Florida law, the governor is responsible for calling a special election to fill vacant seats in the state legislature. If the special primary on April 9 is conclusive, the special general election on June 18 will be canceled.