Lake County’s
Rep. Larry Metz has a new role ahead of him: serving as a judge in the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Gov. Rick Scott announced from the dais of the Florida House Sunday that he had appointed Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, to be a judge in the 5th Judicial Circuit.
“I’m very surprised, and I’m still processing it now,” said Metz, who was standing on the House floor when he heard he was picked for the job.
Metz, who’s represented most of Lake County for the last 8 years, had applied to a position of judgeship in the 5th Judicial Circuit, which covers five counties including Lake.
A practicing attorney and former Marine, Metz said, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the public. It’s a different and new capacity.”
Metz said he expects to fill the position sometime after June 30, when Judge William G. Law is set to retire after 28 years on the bench.
Metz’s normal term as a state representative would end on Election Day this November.
The staunch Republican who chairs the Public Integrity & Ethics committee was able to funnel $10 million in state money last year to a four-lane highway between U.S. Highway 27 and a road that connect to Florida’s Turnpike.
“It will be a whole lot less traffic lights,” Metz told the Orlando Sentinel.
He’s also introduced a controversial “sanctuary cities” bill this year that forces Florida cities and counties to comply with federal immigration law — sometimes at a legal hazard and extra cost to local law enforcement.
Metz has been active in local and state politics in Lake County for decades. Then-Gov. Jeb Bush first appointed him to the Lake School Board in 2004, where he was re-elected in 2006 and served for another two years.
He was first elected to the House in 2010.