Don’t recall the name but was the SoS not a Republican? I think he was and Republicans also had full control of the redistricting process which altered West’s district specifically to get him out of Congress. They did the same thing to Sandy Adams’ district, who got thrown in with a moderate/RINO incumbent and the moderate/RINO won the primary.
This was all by design, by a group of spineless Florida RINOs, the same types who today are very likely proudly waving the “Elect Hillary”, er I mean #NeverTrump banner.
Why West folded so easily, I don’t know.
You may be correct. He is a conservative. It may have been by design.
SoS
Kurt S. Browning. 2011–2012
Ken Detzner, 2012–present
This is who is in charge for Florida this time.
2014, 2012
Detzner was first appointed as Florida Secretary of State in February 2012 by Gov. Rick Scott (R), filling the vacancy left by the departure of former-officeholder Kurt Browning. Detzner was reappointed secretary of state after Scott won re-election as governor in 2014.
2002
Detzner was first appointed Florida Secretary of State by Gov. Jeb Bush (R) in 2002. He served until 2003.