Palm Bay Republican hoping to succeed Randy Fine in District 33 faces DUI charge
Florida House hopeful and political newcomer Logan Luse was arrested earlier this month and charged with driving under the influence, an incident that could impact the Republican's campaign for the Florida House District 33 seat that will be left empty by Randy Fine next year.
Luse, 28, was pulled over on April 15 after Palm Bay police noticed a Jeep being driven at a high speed near Main Street and Hessey Avenue just before 4 a.m. Police made contact with Luse after the vehicle was involved in a "mishap," which officers did not describe in the police report. According to the arrest affidavit, officers said they could smell alcohol on Luse and noticed what appeared to be a glass with an alcoholic beverage in the center console of the vehicle.
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Luse then consented to field sobriety tests, which he subsequently failed, officers said. The Republican politician refused to provide a breath sample and was charged with driving under the influence. Although Luse has not held office before, he previously ran for and lost a race for Melbourne City Council in 2020. He is a member of several conservative groups, including Space Coast Young Republicans and the American Conservation Coalition in Florida. He also serves as an alternate on the Brevard County Planning & Zoning Board.
Pete Filiberto, a former Palm Bay city councilman, also served on the county board earlier this year before being removed after his own arrest for DUI and cocaine possession. No information was immediately provided on what consequences there might be at the county-level for Luse.
Logan Luse could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon. Voicemails were left with both Luse's campaign and personal phone numbers Monday.
Because Rep. Fine (R-Palm Bay) is unable to run for re-election due to term limits, the District 33 seat has quickly become crowded as several candidates have filed for the open seat hoping to succeed the controversial incumbent. Republicans Chandler Langevin and Erika Orriss have also filed for the seat, joined by Democrat Anthony Yantz and Libertarian Grover Bentley. As of now, the seat is poised for a three-way Republican primary.
House District 33 includes much of South Brevard including parts of West Melbourne, Palm Bay and Malabar. Members of the Florida House receive a $29,697 annual salary and serve for two-year terms with a limit of four terms.
Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County and North Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-917-7491 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @tyler_vazquez
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Palm Bay Republican seeking House District 33 seat faces DUI charge
