Jim Rosica
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday set the dates for the special elections to replace former state Rep. Alex Miller, the Sarasota Republican whose resignation became effective today.
The special primary election for House District 72 will be held on Dec. 5, and a special general election is set for next Feb. 13, Scott’s executive order says.
That means the district, which includes Siesta Key and South Sarasota, will be unrepresented for more than half of the 2018 Legislative Session.
As of Friday afternoon, Miller’s information was removed from the House website, with “Representative–Special Election Pending” showing for HD 72.
Miller turned in her resignation from the House last week, citing family and business reasons.
“As a mother with two teenage boys who is the CEO of a rapidly growing business, I have come to the conclusion that I must spend more time at home than my service in the Legislature would allow,” she wrote in her letter.
Miller, who recently turned 44, is CEO of Mercedes Medical, a medical and laboratory supply company in Sarasota.
Less than an hour after her resignation became known, James Buchanan, son of Sarasota-area Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan, said he would run for the seat.
James Buchanan, also a Republican, had previously announced a run in House District 71, now held by term-limited state GOP Rep. Jim Boyd.
