The Florida Senate

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 such appointment a vacancy shall occur in the office of Governor with more than 28 months remaining in the term, then 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 Secretary of State shall become Governor; or if the office of Secretary of State be vacant, then the Attorney General shall become Governor; or if the office of Attorney General be vacant, then the Comptroller shall become Governor; or if the office of Comptroller be vacant, then the Treasurer shall become Governor; or if the office of Treasurer be vacant, then the Commissioner of Education shall become Governor; or if the office of Commissioner of Education be vacant, then 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 shall occur in the office of Governor and provision is not made herein for filling such vacancy, then 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.