14.055 Succession to office of Governor. - Florida Statutes

14.055 Succession to office of Governor.

Upon vacancy in the office of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor. Upon vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor, the Governor shall appoint a successor who shall serve for the remainder of the term, provided that if after the appointment a vacancy occurs in the office of Governor with more than 28 months remaining in the term, at the next statewide general election the electors shall choose a Governor and Lieutenant Governor to fill the remainder of the term in the manner provided in s. 5, Art. IV of the State Constitution. Upon vacancy in the office of Governor and in the office of Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General shall become Governor; if the office of Attorney General is vacant, the Chief Financial Officer shall become Governor; or if the office of Chief Financial Officer is vacant, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall become Governor. Except as otherwise provided in this section with respect to an appointed successor to the office of Lieutenant Governor, a successor under this section shall serve for the remainder of the term and shall receive all the rights, privileges, and emoluments of the Governor. In case a vacancy occurs in the office of Governor and provision is not made in this section for filling the vacancy, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate shall convene the Legislature by joint proclamation within 15 days for the purpose of choosing a person to serve as Governor for the remainder of the term. A successor shall be elected by a majority vote in a joint session of both houses.

History. s. 1, ch. 70-171; s. 1, ch. 2003-171; s. 1, ch. 2006-53.