SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – Republican voters overwhelmingly chose a former state representative and doctor as their candidate for a special election for the only Florida Senate seat in Sumter County.
Florida Senate District 11 encompasses Sumter County, as well as Citrus, Hernando and part of Pasco counties.
Dr. Ralph Massullo beat rancher Anthony Brice in the Republican primary for the seat on Tuesday, 79.53% to 20.47%.
Republican Blaise Ingoglia represented the area, but he left when he was appointed chief financial officer for the state.
Massullo will now face the Democratic candidate, Vietnam veteran and engineer Ash Marwah, in December. This election is open to all voters living in the district.
The deadline to register to vote for this special election is Nov. 10.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Nov. 27.
There will be an early voting period from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6.
Election Day is Tuesday, Dec. 9.
To find out if your registration is up to date or whether you are eligible to vote, head to the Sumter County election supervisor’s website.
It may not be the last special election for Sumter County.
State Rep. John Temple was appointed president of Lake-Sumter State College earlier this month, causing him to resign from Florida House District 52. A special election will have to be called for that seat, as well.