State Rep. Debbie Mayfield has asked the Florida Supreme Court to intervene after the Florida Department of State disqualified her in a Special Election in Senate District 19. The Melbourne Republican stressed urgency in a court petition, as a Republican Primary will be held on April 1.

The lawsuit says Secretary of State Cord Byrd exceeded his authority by rejecting her qualification paperwork for the Special Election. The State Department determined term limits forbid Mayfield from immediately running again for a Senate seat she held as recently as last year. But Mayfield in court filings said it’s not the role of the State Department to refuse her a place on the ballot when no one has filed a legal challenge to her candidacy.

“This is because it is well-settled that the Secretary serves a purely ministerial role in processing the Qualifying Paperwork, and has no authority to determine whether the Qualifying Paperwork is accurate, or whether there are grounds to challenge Mayfield’s eligibility to run in the Special Election for SD 19,” the petition reads.

The Division of Elections on Tuesday morning informed Mayfield of the decision in writing.

The message from Division of Elections Director Maria Matthews stated that Mayfield’s candidacy now would violate the Constitution because a person cannot run for Florida Senator “if, by the end of the current term of office, the person will have served (or but for resignation, would have served) in that office for eight consecutive years.”

A constitutional amendment passed by Florida voters in 1992 prohibits incumbents who have held an office for eight consecutive years from running for re-election. But the language appearing on the ballot that year, according to Ballotpedia, specifically addressed “incumbents who have held the same elective office for the preceding eight years.”

Moreover, Mayfield’s petition said it has been well established practice for decades that individuals can run for an office from which they were term limited if there is a break in service. The suit specifically notes that former Rep. James Grant’s candidacy was challenged in 2018 but courts ruled that because of a break in his tenure over an election dispute, the clock had been reset on term limits for him holding his House seat.

That ruling declared that the State Department’s role was “purely ministerial” when it came to accepting qualifying paperwork.

Mayfield asked the court to state that Byrd’s office overstepped its authority and that her name should appear on an April 1 Special Republican Primary ballot. The winner of the Primary advances to a June 10 Special Election.

Mayfield served in the Florida Senate from 2016 to 2024 and could not seek re-election because of term limits. Her successor, Sen. Randy Fine, announced his resignation from the seat in order to run for Congress, opening his Senate seat. Notably, Mayfield already submitted an irrevocable resignation from her House District 32 seat, which she won last year, in order to run for the seat.

A Special Election for her House seat will be held concurrent with the Senate election. Mayfield did not file paperwork to run in the House race. The qualification deadline for both races has now passed.

216187438 Petition for Writ of Quo Warranto by Jacob Ogles on Scribd

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House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell announced the leadership team for the House Democratic Caucus this legislative term.

Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, a Parkland Democrat and former Caucus Whip, now serves as Democratic Leader Pro Tempore.

Rep. Kelly Skidmore, a Boca Raton Democrat, will remain Policy Chair for the second term in a row, just as Rep. Mike Gottlieb, a Davie Democrat, will remain Floor Leader.

Rep. Marie Woodson, a Hollywood Democrat, will serve as the new Caucus Whip. Meanwhile, Reps. Allison Tant, Felicia Robinson, Daryl Campbell, Lindsay Cross and Johanna López will serve as Deputy Whips.

“Florida House Democrats remain committed to fighting for every single Floridian and advocating for solutions to the kitchen-table issues most important to Floridians,” said Driskell, the first House member to serve as a caucus leader in consecutive legislative terms in the term limits era.

“Floridians are still asking for immediate and lasting relief from the ongoing property insurance crisis, to fortify our communities against the next natural disaster, and to protect their inherent freedoms. We believe every Floridian deserves the freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe, and we will continue championing commonsense, people-centered policies.”

Hunschofsky, the Democrat in line to succeed Driskell as Democratic leader in 2026, will assist Driskell this term in carrying out leadership responsibilities as assigned, and will step in as caucus leader in Driskell’s absence should occasion arise.

“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with Representative Hunschofsky last legislative term in her capacity as Caucus Whip,” Driskell said. “Since she was elected as state Representative, Representative Hunschofsky has been a consistent champion of mental health issues, responsible gun ownership policies, and homeowners’ insurance relief. In her time as Caucus Whip, Representative Hunschofsky was instrumental in ensuring the House Democratic Caucus stood unified against the divisive and extremist Republican policies.

“I am proud to call Representative Hunschofsky a friend and colleague, and I look forward to her leadership over the next two years.”

Driskell also praised Skidmore and Gottlieb for their work.

“I am so grateful to Representative Skidmore and Representative Gottlieb for enthusiastically agreeing to continue serving Floridians on our leadership team,” Driskell said. “Their drive to help this caucus fight for every Floridian is an inspiration. I look forward to continue working with both of them over the next two years.”

Woodson will take on a new role but isn’t new to the duties of caucus whipping.

 “Representative Woodson has an amazing ability to build consensus and unify differing views,” Driskell said. “Serving as Deputy Whip last legislative term, Representative Woodson was instrumental in helping Representative Hunschofsky keep the Caucus up-to-date and informed. Representative Woodson is also a champion of many initiatives close to Floridians’ hearts, such as ensuring veterans receive the benefits they deserve. I know her ability and skillset will help guide our Caucus over the next two years.”

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Florida’s outdoor workers could be getting an added layer of protection as part of ongoing efforts to enhance worker safety by preventing heat-related illnesses and fatalities on the job.

The bill (SB 510) filed by St. Petersburg Democrat Sen. Darryl Rouson would add requirements for employers whose work crews spend a large portion of their time working outside in the Florida heat, particularly in industries such as agriculture, landscaping, and construction.

The measure would aim to protect outdoor workers from heat illness and death caused by heat exposure, by setting in place certain responsibilities for employers, including providing cool or cold water, regular breaks in the shade, and annual training programs on the risks of heat exposure for both employees and supervisors.

Employers would be required to implement an outdoor heat exposure safety program approved by the Florida Department of Agriculture, Consumer Services, and the Department of Health — which would include first-aid training, preventative measures, and high-heat procedures.

Both supervisor and employee first aid training would include ways to identify the signs and symptoms of heat exposure, both in themselves and others, as well as how to best use appropriate first-aid measures in the event an employee or co-worker suffers from a serious heat-related illness event before medical attention can arrive on scene.

Shaded areas and access to cold or cool drinking water would be required if temperatures reach more than 80 degrees during the workday.

Under high-heat conditions, employees would be given regular 10-minute breaks every two hours when they are working in environments exceeding 90 degrees. Supervisors would also be required to make available an effective voice, observational, or electronic communication system that allows an employee to communicate with a manager, supervisor, or emergency medical services if needed.

Between 2010 and 2020 there were 215 heat-related deaths in Florida, averaging between 10 and 38 deaths per year, with the highest number of deaths occurring during the summer months of June and July, according to a study from the University of Florida.

If passed, the bill would take effect October 1, 2025.

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