A state lawmaker from central Florida is dropping out of his re-election race after his name was linked to a prostitution arrest. Mike Horner will not seek re-election. Will Weatherford says Horner made the right decision, and it's in the best interests of his family and the state. Horner, a two-term lawmaker who chairs the House's transportation and economic development budget committee, stepped down following reports linking him to Mark David Risner, 54, who was arrested Aug.
Horner's statement came after reports broke linking someone with his name to Risner. Bernie Presha, a spokesman for Lawson Lamar, the state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties, said the name Mike Horner "was listed on a list of possible clients" found after Risner's arrest. Presha said authorities weren't even certain that the document was a client list, and there are no plans to investigate Horner or any of the other people on the list.
But while denying some of the details of the earliest reports about his involvement in the scandal, Horner essentially confirmed Monday that he had erred. Horner's decision to drop out of his race for re-election. I believe he made the right decision. It is in the best interest of our state and his family. As elected officials, we are held to a high standard and no member of the Florida House is above that standard.
I accept Mike's decision and offer my prayers during this difficult time for him and his family," the statement read. Horner's name will still appear on the ballot, though the Republican parties in Osceola and Polk counties will have five days to name a replacement who will receive any votes cast for Horner.
The Democratic nominee for the seat, Frostproof businesswoman Eileen Game, shied away from commenting on Horner's decision. Horner was seen as likely to win re-election in the district, which includes St. Cloud and largely rural portions of Osceola and Polk counties. While Democrats have a nearly five-point edge in voter registration in the district, Republican Gov.
