Florida GOP House Speaker Sansom Resigns

A second Republican State House Speaker has resigned in as many years following embarrassing disclosures.

The first was Oklahoma's Lance Cargill, who stepped down a year ago. Today, it is Rep. Ray Sansom of Florida, who effectively gave up his post as House speaker as his GOP colleagues were meeting to consider his ouster as GOP leader, a position that entitles him to serve as speaker.

Republicans voted unanimously to replace Sansom with Speaker Pro Tempore Larry Cretul.

Sansom will keep the title of speaker, though, until a formal vote can be taken on his replacement when lawmakers meet in regular session next month.

The scandal arose after Northwest Florida State College gave Sansom a $110,000 job after he funneled $35 million to the school over the last two years. Sansom also has resigned from the college post.

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