WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis is running for Congress after Matt Gaetz declined to return to the House of Representatives following withdrawing his consideration for the U.S. Attorney General post.
So, who will be Florida's next top official on insurance?
Patronis is stepping down to run for Congressional District 1 located in the Panhandle.
Replacing Patronis could be a tall order given how he has put himself front and center on the state's insurance crisis and been a big supporter of the My Safe Florida Home program.
State Rep. Jervonte Edmonds, D-West Palm Beach, shared his thoughts on the CFO vacancy.
"Patronis was great," Edmonds said. "He had insurance town halls here in Palm Beach County, but it has to be more. It has to be a working relationship with insurance companies to really find a middle ground to actually get something tangibly done."
Some of the names being mentioned as replacements include state Sens. Blaise Ingoglia and Joe Gruters from Florida's west coast.
Also, state Rep. Mike Caruso of West Palm Beach is among those mentioned as a possible replacement.
Edmonds said the CFO role still needs to be visible on the property insurance issue.
"It has to be a united effort on the Legislature's part, the governor and the CFO for us to look at ways to repair the insurance issue here," Edmonds said.
Patronis' resignation will take effect March 31. The choice for the next CFO is up to the governor until another election is held.