Foley’s Departure Screws Florida GOPUntil his abrupt resignation today, Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) was the clear favorite to win reelection this November to represent Florida’s 16th district.
That creates a headache for the Florida Republicans. According to state law, they can pick a new candidate — but Foley’s name will stay on the ballot. Here’s the relevant statute:
In the event that death, resignation, withdrawal, removal, or any other cause or event should cause a party to have a vacancy in nomination which leaves no candidate for an office from such party, the Department of State shall notify the chair of the appropriate state, district, or county political party executive committee of such party; and, within 5 days, the chair shall call a meeting of his or her executive committee to consider designation of a nominee to fill the vacancy…. If the name of the new nominee is submitted after the certification of results of the preceding primary election, however, the ballots shall not be changed and the former party nominee’s name will appear on the ballot. Any ballots cast for the former party nominee will be counted for the person designated by the political party to replace the former party nominee. [my emphasis]
Thanks to TPMm Reader DB.
