Special elections set for House members who joined Ron DeSantis administration

Gov. Ron DeSantis has set special elections to fill state House seats vacated by members who joined his administration.

The Department of State released a copy of his executive order on Friday morning.

DeSantis ordered the special primary election for April 9 and the special general election for the seats on June 18.

That means the three districts could have no representation for the entirety of the 2019 Legislative Session, which runs March 5-May 3.

The qualifying period is short, and soon: From 8 a.m. on Feb. 13 to noon of Feb. 14, a State Department spokeswoman said.

Rep. Halsey Beshears (HD 7), a Monticello Republican, became Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Rep. Danny Burgess (HD 38), a Zephyrhills Republican, was made Executive Director of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs this week.

And Rep. Jared Moskowitz (HD 97), a Coral Springs Democrat, is Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The Governor’s executive order is below.