Florida Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, will retire early in November

Florida Sen. Joe Negron announced his early retirement Wednesday.

Negron, R-Stuart, will retire from his Senate seat Nov. 6, two years before his term ends November 2020. Nov. 6 is the day his term as Senate president ends.

Negron cited "term limits" as his reason for retiring. After redistricting in 2016, Negron gained an unexpected two years to his term. Since then, he's never committed to serving his full term.

"We have term limits for a reason. Eight is enough," Negron told TCPalm Wednesday. "I support term limits, and I think people should serve their time in public office, and then when that time concludes, they can return to the private sector."

In his resignation letter to Gov. Rick Scott, Negron asked him to schedule a special election for the race at the same time as the Nov. 8 general election.

Not on the ballot

Negron in March told TCPalm he would not run for higher office in 2018. He plans to continue his work as an attorney at Akerman LLP in West Palm Beach. He would not speculate on future elections.

"Right now, I'm focused on practicing law today and not on future opportunities," Negron said.

Negron's District 25 seat represents all of Martin and St. Lucie counties and a portion of northern Palm Beach.

2018 race

Two people have filed to replace Negron in 2020: Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, and Martin County physician Robert Levy, a Democrat. Both have told TCPalm they're prepared to run for the seat in 2018.

Harrell called Negron an "icon" in an interview with TCPalm Wednesday.

"It's big shoes to fill, but I'm certainly ready to take on the challenge and be there, and do everything in my power to win that seat and to represent the wonderful people of the Treasure Coast," Harrell said.

Levy has not commented on Negron's retirement or returned TCPalm's requests for an interview.

A political consultant who works with Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta, said he thinks Magar should run.

Magar has filed to run for re-election to her House District 82 seat. Her campaign did not respond to TCPalm's questions about whether she will switch elections.

Negron said he hasn't thought heavily about who should replace him.

The Senate district leans Republican, with 54 percent of the 2016 presidential votes going to Donald Trump and 43 percent to Hillary Clinton.

Negron's history

Negron was elected to the House in 2000. He left the House in 2006 to mount a campaign for Congress.

When former Senate President Ken Pruitt resigned in 2009, Negron replaced him in the Senate after a special election.

Negron served as Senate president during the 2017 and 2018 sessions. He also served as budget chair in both chambers.

During his term as Senate president, Negron focused heavily on pushing for a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce toxic discharges.

He also led efforts to overhaul the state university system, including an expansion of the Bright Futures scholarship program.