Gov. Ron DeSantis announced June 6 he is elevating Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Pat Ivey to succeed Sheriff Mike Williams.
DeSantis announced the decision at a disaster preparedness news conference in Jacksonville.
Ivey will be acting sheriff effective June 11, the day after Williams retires.
Williams announced his retirement June 2, effective June 10, amid questions about whether he vacated his office when he moved to Nassau County in 2021. Duval County residency is required of the sheriff by the city charter.
In a draft opinion, the city Office of General Counsel said Williams vacated his office when he relocated himself and his family.
City Council is scheduled to meet in a special session June 6 to consider a special election Aug. 23. for sheriff.
If no candidate receives 50% plus one vote in the first election, the two candidates receiving the most votes will be on the ballot for a runoff in the Nov. 8 general election.
The winning candidate in the special election would serve until 2023.
On June 6, DeSantis also endorsed JSO Chief TK Waters for sheriff.
Williams, who was term-limited, and U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, a former Jacksonville sheriff, previously endorsed Waters.
Waters is among six candidates who have opened campaigns for the office, joining fellow Republican Mathew Nemeth and Democrats Lakesha Burton, Wayne Clark, Tony Cummings and Ken Jefferson.
Those candidates, and others, could enter the special election.
