On Monday afternoon, Florida Governor Rick Scott officially appointed District 44 State Representative Eric Eisnaugle to the Fifth District Court of appeal. The announcement comes on the last day of the legislative session and sets up a special election for Eisnaugle’s Windermere area seat.

The announcement ends Eisnaugle’s second run as a state lawmaker. After redistricting forced him into the same district as his then-colleague Stephen Precourt in 2012, Eisnaugle stepped aside. He was reelected in special election in the spring of 2014 after Precourt resigned, then reelected later that year.

The decision will lead to a special election later this year. Former Winter Garden Commissioner Bobby Olszewski has already announced that he’s prepared to move up and run for the right leaning seat for a contest that will likely take place this summer or in the fall.

The sudden announcement of the appointment lead to Eisnaugle delivering his emotional farewell remarks to his colleagues in the legislature with next to no notice.

“I want you to know that you’ve had an incredible impact on my life.” said Eisnaugle, who also thanked his family for their help through the appointment process “Like anything else in life, in this process there are good days and bad. For me there has been a lot more good days, and I’m proud to have served with each and everyone of you.”







