James Call
St. Johns State Representative Travis Hutson wants to move up. Hutson announced Monday he is a candidate for Florida Senate District 6, vacated by John Thrasher to accept the Florida State University presidency.
“I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Florida Senate,” said Hutson. “Like the Senators who represented this area before me – Sen. John Thrasher and the late Sen. Jim King – I hold a deep passion for our north Florida communities and want nothing more than to see our businesses and community members thrive for years to come.”
Senate District 6 takes in Flagler, Putnam and St. St. Johns counties and part of Volusia County. Thrasher, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, resigned effective midnight Sunday; FSU Board of Trustees confirmed his appointment last week as president.
As expected, Thrasher’s resignation has set off a scramble for the senate seat. Rep. “Doc” Renuart, R- announced his candidacy after Thrasher’s confirmation. Renuart said he was running as a “proud conservative.” Hutson brandished his conservative credentials when announcing his candidacy noting a long list of Republicans for whom he serve on their campaign finance teams including Mitt Romney, Gov. Rick Scott, Adam Putnam, Pam Bondi, Jeff Atwater, St. Johns County Sherriff David Shoar, and Reps. Daniel Davis and Travis Cummings.
Derek Hankerson, who ran against Thrasher in the GOP primary, has said he would also run in the special election. Gov. Rick Scott has yet to schedule the election to replace Thrasher.
