This smells like the start of corruption: New Florida state secretary takes over at critical time R

TALLAHASSEE -- Ken Detzner wasn’t looking for a new job, but Gov. Rick Scott gave him one anyway.

Detzner, 59, was Scott’s choice last month to be secretary of state, a job that puts him in charge of Florida voting apparatus at a critical time. It’s a presidential election year in which all voting districts are shifting because of reapportionment and changes to election laws remain subject to intense legal scrutiny.

Several key changes to the election laws have not yet been approved by the federal government and, until then, cannot be implemented in five counties: Hillsborough, Monroe, Collier, Hardee and Hendry.

On a day when Detzner stopped by the governor’s office on a routine lobbying mission, Scott asked him to replace Kurt Browning, who returned to his native Pasco County to run for superintendent of schools.

For Detzner, there’s also a sense of deja vu in his new job: He briefly ran the agency a decade ago under former Gov. Jeb Bush, when it was evolving from an elected Cabinet post to an appointed one.

Detzner’s duties also include historic and cultural programs, libraries and corporate filings. Next year the agency will conduct a year-long “Viva Florida 500” observance of the state’s 500-year history.

“This agency touches almost every Floridian in some way,” Detzner said. “To be called to serve in this position is a very high honor, and I’m going to take advantage of it every single day.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/17/2697810/new-florida-state-secretary-takes.html#storylink=cpy