Local

Jaeger abandons bid for State Attorney's Office

ORLANDO, Fla. — Local defense attorney Joerg Jaeger has abandoned his bid as Republican candidate for the State Attorney’s Office.

That means, for now, the race will be between incumbent Lawson Lamar and challengers Jeff Ashton and Ryan Williams, all Democrats.

The Republicans will have an opportunity to enlist another candidate, but if they don’t, the winner for top prosecutor in Orange and Osceola will be decided during the August primary, among the three Democrats.

Jaeger said he was concerned about denying independent voters the chance to decide the State Attorney’s race.

“I was very concerned about closing off a segment of the voting population,” Jaeger said on Friday. “I didn’t want to disenfranchise anybody.”

Jaeger also said he recently received assurances from Lamar -- someone he’s supported financially in the past -- that Lamar’s office will seek to implement a Veteran’s Diversion program for veterans caught up in the court system and a Citizens Advisory Committee to provide the State Attorney’s Office with input and advice.

“I’m taking (Lamar) on faith,” Jaeger said. “If I look stupid, you’ll see me out there with an Ashton banner.”