State House Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-Panama City) says he won't run again in 2016. Patronis was up for re-election and his earlier plans included a bid for the state Senate seat now held by Senate President Don Gaetz.
Patronis would likely have faced a primary challenge by Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was also eyeing the seat held by his father, Don Gaetz.
Patronis had also been rumored to be on the short list of potential lieutenant governors. The post has been empty since Jennifer Carroll resigned earlier in the year due to an investigation of a Veteran's charity she lobbied for.
The charity's operators were charged with racketeering. Carroll was interviewed as part of the investigation but not charged with any crime.
