Lawsuit alleges plot to run sham candidate so DeSantis appointee can win election

A lawsuit filed by Thomas Feiter, a Republican candidate for the state attorney in the Orange-Osceola district, alleges that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other GOP officials conspired to create a sham candidacy to benefit DeSantis' appointee, Andrew Bain. The lawsuit claims that the Republicans supported Seth Hyman's candidacy, fully aware that he would withdraw from the general election after winning the primary. This strategy was aimed at preventing former Democratic state attorney Monique Worrell from regaining her position, following her suspension by DeSantis. Hyman's withdrawal from the race was followed by his endorsement of Bain, who is running without party affiliation. The lawsuit accuses the GOP of election fraud and seeks to invalidate the primary results based on alleged corruption and misconduct.

Hyman has labeled the lawsuit as frivolous and an abuse of the legal system, while Bain's campaign has not provided a response. DeSantis previously claimed that Worrell's performance in office was inadequate, suggesting that she put the public at risk. The allegations within the lawsuit shed light on the political maneuvering in Florida's judicial elections, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process.