Anderson named Seminole County elections supervisor

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday named Chris Anderson as the Seminole County supervisor of elections.

Anderson, a U.S. Army veteran who has been working as a chief investigations officer with the county's tax collector’s office, replaces long-time supervisor Michael Ertel, who was appointed secretary of state by DeSantis.

Anderson served as a county deputy prior to going to work for the tax collector's office. DeSantis announced Anderson’s appointment during a news conference at which the governor also announced he had suspended Palm Beach County Supervisor of Election Susan Bucher.

Speaking to reporters at the Historical Society of Palm Beach County Friday, DeSantis, who served in the Navy, noted that Anderson's Army career included a tour in Afghanistan.

“I think if he can handle Afghanistan, I think he’s going to be able to handle supervisor of elections,” DeSantis said. Ertel praised DeSantis' choice in a Twitter post, calling Anderson "a solid, steady hand" and predicting the county elections office "will thrive under his leadership."

In 2017, Anderson, a Republican from Lake Mary, filed paperwork to run for the state House District 28 seat that was then held by former Rep. Jason Brodeur of Sanford. Anderson withdrew from the House race later in the year. Winter Springs Republican Rep. David Smith was elected to the seat in November.

 

Information provided by The News Service of Florida.