TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Less than a week after winning re-election, former state Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, has resigned to become the new president of Florida State University, leaving a vacancy in the Senate.
Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Monday to hold a special election to fill Thrasher's seat.
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Thrasher was re-elected last Tuesday to represent District 6, which comprises Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and parts of Volusia counties. He submitted his resignation Friday, which took effect Sunday, the day before he began his tenure at FSU.
Thrasher, who earned his undergraduate and law degrees at FSU, was a controversial candidate to replace Eric Barron, who stepped down to become president at Penn State University.
FSU's board of trustees voted 11-2 in favor of hiring Thrasher over three academics.
Some faculty and students questioned how FSU could improve its national prestige with someone who lacks experience in higher education. However, Thrasher's supporters said his political clout and business connections would help FSU get the financial help it needs to grow.
The special election will be held Jan. 27.
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