Ryan Butler tapped to become Indian River County Clerk of Court and Comptroller

Melissa E. Holsman, Treasure Coast Newspapers
Updated ·2 min read
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Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday tapped Ryan Butler to become Indian River County’s Clerk of the Court and Comptroller to replace Jeff Smith who is retiring June 30.

What happened: Butler’s appointment begins July 1, according to a news release issued by DeSantis’ office. He's been serving as chief deputy clerk of the court since 2020 after spending almost 25 years as a state prosecutor under State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl and his predecessor, Bruce Colton.

Butler's reaction: Reached Friday, Butler, 53, thanked DeSantis "for trusting me with this position."

"It’s truly a great honor. Thank you also to Clerk Jeffrey Smith for his mentorship and support. I will be inheriting a tremendously talented staff that is the product of Jeff’s leadership and steady guidance," Butler said. "I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Indian River County and maintaining the great reputation of the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office."

VERO BEACH - Ronald Sinclair (left), a retired Crime Scene Investigation Sergeant with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office who worked the scene of the Donna Burnell murder in 1990, inspects the murder weapon handed to him by Assistant State Attorney Ryan Butler during the resentencing Sept. 19, 2011 at the Indian River County Courthouse in Vero Beach.

What prompted the appointment: In May, Smith, 67, announced he would retire at the end of June before his term expired in 2024. He was first appointed as court clerk in 2012, then ran unopposed later that year and in 2016 and 2020.

Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith

What comes next: Butler, who is a native of Indian River County, has said he plans to run for the seat.

More information: Butler earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Duke University and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. He is a member of the Taxpayer Association of Indian River County, Indian River County United Way, the Hundred Club of Indian River, the National Speleological Society (scientific study of caves) and a former member of the Florida Prosecuting Attorney’s Association.

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Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of  Uncertain Terms, a true crime podcast. Reach her at  melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com.  If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Ryan Butler replaces Court Clerk Jeffrey Smith, who retires June 30