A lobbyist for the Florida National Organization for Women wants the state’s top court to order Gov. Rick Scott to name a new lieutenant governor — a position unoccupied since March — within 30 days.
As the 10-month anniversary approaches of Jennifer Carroll’s resignation from the post, Tallahassee lobbyist Barbara DeVane filed a lawsuit Monday at the Florida Supreme Court that contends Scott is breaking state law by failing to appoint a successor.
DeVane also claims Scott’s decision to leave the post unoccupied upsets the order of succession and that the “state would be powerless to respond” if a crisis occurs and Scott is for some reason unavailable.
If Scott were unable to fulfill his duties before a lieutenant governor is named, Attorney General Pam Bondi would take over as governor.
In an email response to the suit, Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said, “The Governor is going to take the right time to find the right person.”
Despite a variety of rumored picks, Scott has given few clear indications about when he will fill the post.
Carroll stepped down March 12, after she was questioned by law enforcement officials about her ties to Allied Veterans of the World. The nonprofit ran a series of Internet cafes that were raided by authorities and led to the arrest of 57 people.
Carroll, a former Clay County legislator, had previously done consulting work for Allied Veterans.