Democrat pulls out of Orange County race
ORLANDO, Fla. (NSF) - A Democrat embroiled in a lawsuit about whether he filed proper qualifying papers has withdrawn from a race for an open state House seat in Orange County, according to information on the Florida Division of Elections website.
Lou Forges’ exit from the race will allow fellow Democrat Anna Eskamani to avoid a primary in House District 47, which became an open seat when Rep. Mike Miller, R-Winter Park, decided to run for Congress. Two Republicans, Mikaela Nix and Stockton Reeves, also are running to replace Miller in November.
Eskamani filed a lawsuit July 6 in Leon County circuit court alleging that Forges did not properly qualify because his wife notarized paperwork submitted to the Division of Elections. Eskamani argued that state law bars such notarization by spouses and that Forges should be decertified as a candidate --- arguments that Forges disputed.
A judge had been expected to hold a hearing in the case on July 30.