Gov. DeSantis appoints judge to take over Florida's top election post Laurel Lee replaced Secretary of State Michael Ertel
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Circuit Judge Laurel M. Lee to take over Florida's top election post.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis is appointing a circuit judge to replace Mike Ertel, Florida's top election official who abruptly resigned last week.
DeSantis announced Monday that Laurel Lee will replace Secretary of State Michael Ertel. Ertel resigned last Thursday after the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper obtained photos from a 2005 party where he was dressed in blackface while posing as a Hurricane Katrina victim. The photo was taken several months after Ertel had become election supervisor for Seminole County.
Florida's Republican governor said he accepted Ertel's resignation to avoid getting "mired" in controversies. Last year, DeSantis defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum in a bitter race with racial overtones.
Lee has been a judge in Hillsborough County since 2013. She is married to State Sen. Tom Lee.
Laurel Lee has previously worked as both a federal prosecutor.
Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.
Man accused of dumping missing Brevard County woman’s body after sex, fatal overdose in 2023 ▶ 0:55
Man accused of dumping missing Brevard County woman’s body after sex, fatal overdose in 2023
Ocoee woman accused of sending sexual videos of 13-year-old to prison inmate ▶ 1:04
Ocoee woman accused of sending sexual videos of 13-year-old to prison inmate
‘Breath of fresh air:’ Neighbors relieved as Brevard County condemns home of woman who dumped feces in yards ▶ 0:50
‘Breath of fresh air:’ Neighbors relieved as Brevard County condemns home of woman who dumped feces in yards
Central Florida congestion woes increase as construction goes on ▶ 1:03
Central Florida congestion woes increase as construction goes on
Prosecutor pinned for ‘oversight’ after man accused in Orlando jogging attack takes plea deal ▶ 0:55
Prosecutor pinned for ‘oversight’ after man accused in Orlando jogging attack takes plea deal
Florida’s bear hunt is underway, but FWC is not actively saying how many have been killed ▶ 0:52
Florida’s bear hunt is underway, but FWC is not actively saying how many have been killed
See the moment a plane crashes into a car on I-95 in Brevard ▶ 0:41
See the moment a plane crashes into a car on I-95 in Brevard
Universal altered report about roller coaster death after state agency intervened ▶ 1:20
Universal altered report about roller coaster death after state agency intervened
ADA compliance lawsuits hit Central Florida businesses, raising concerns about accessibility and legal challenges ▶ 1:13
ADA compliance lawsuits hit Central Florida businesses, raising concerns about accessibility and legal challenges
‘Not in our backyard:’ Gas plant to power cruise ships could be built near Merritt Island neighborhood ▶ 0:53
‘Not in our backyard:’ Gas plant to power cruise ships could be built near Merritt Island neighborhood
Residents split on new Celery Avenue speed tables in Seminole County ▶ 0:44
Residents split on new Celery Avenue speed tables in Seminole County
Bane scores 37 to lead the Orlando Magic past the Heat in the NBA Cup quarterfinals ▶ 0:39
Bane scores 37 to lead the Orlando Magic past the Heat in the NBA Cup quarterfinals
New Smyrna Beach faces final vote on ‘pedal pubs’ amid concerns ▶ 0:27
New Smyrna Beach faces final vote on ‘pedal pubs’ amid concerns
Florida homeowners fight rising lot rents as park owners avoid mediation ▶ 0:23
Florida homeowners fight rising lot rents as park owners avoid mediation
6 Things to do this weekend (12/6 - 12/7) ▶ 1:00
6 Things to do this weekend (12/6 - 12/7)
Rollins College student arrested after rifle, ammunition found on school property, police say ▶ 1:23
Rollins College student arrested after rifle, ammunition found on school property, police say
Orlando pastry chef brings Brazilian flavors to Food Network’s ‘Holiday Baking Championship’ ▶ 1:03
Orlando pastry chef brings Brazilian flavors to Food Network’s ‘Holiday Baking Championship’
🌳Discover the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park: Family-friendly aerial adventure minutes from Disney ▶ 1:16
🌳Discover the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park: Family-friendly aerial adventure minutes from Disney
‘Stand Your Ground’ cited after fatal Seminole County shooting stems from apparent road rage ▶ 0:49
‘Stand Your Ground’ cited after fatal Seminole County shooting stems from apparent road rage
Tavares eyes fines, permits for garage sale violations ▶ 0:48
Tavares eyes fines, permits for garage sale violations
Central Florida’s newest Trader Joe’s is officially open!🛒✨ ▶ 0:48
Central Florida’s newest Trader Joe’s is officially open!🛒✨
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera. ▶ 1:26
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera.
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera. ▶ 1:26
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera.
1 injured in Sanford house fire ▶ 0:47
1 injured in Sanford house fire
Secret Service launches crackdown on EBT fraud, targets credit card skimmers ▶ 0:35
Secret Service launches crackdown on EBT fraud, targets credit card skimmers
Previous photo Next photo 