Former Orange County prosecutor Jeff Ashton announced Tuesday that he is running for the position of State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, bringing to an end months of speculation.
Ashton, who has 30 years prosecutorial experience under his belt, will challenge his former boss and insider, Lawson Lamar currently serving as State Attorney, a position he has held since 1989.
As Assistant State Attorney, Ashton has participated in 300 trials, 70 murders and two-dozen capital cases, according to his newly launched website, electjeffashton.com. But, he shot to national prominence during the prosecution of Casey Anthony last year, the Orlando mother accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter, of which she was later acquitted.
Besides being a fixture on television during the Casey Anthony trial, Ashton has become even more of a household name following the publication of his book, “Imperfect Justice – Prosecuting Casey Anthony” last December, when he retired shortly after the trial concluded.
In making official his decision to run for State Attorney, Ashton said, thousands of Floridians had asked him to continue his public service. It’s also time for change, leaving behind the old guard, he added.
“We need to work for swift justice, more efficiency, better technology and commit to being a law office you can be proud to have working for you,” Ashton said on electjeffashton.com. “Great improvement can be made and I am committed to making it happen.”
There is no word yet from Lamar on how he views Ashton’s candidature.
