WILDWOOD, Fla. – Republican State Rep. John Temple is getting a new gig — president of a state college.

Temple, 49, was selected as the next president of Lake-Sumter State College this week.

Temple secured his position in the Florida House District 52, representing Sumter County, with his first election win in 2022 followed by a reelection in 2024. Prior to his political career, he worked as a teacher and school administrator.

Expressing his gratitude, Temple shared on his political Facebook page, “I am thankful to the Board of Trustees of Lake-Sumter State College for trusting me and appointing me as the incoming President of the college,” he stated on Thursday. He added, “Serving District 52 for the past three years has been a privilege.”

With Temple in the president’s office at LSSC, he’ll be out of his seat up in the Florida Capitol Building.

Although Temple has not yet submitted his resignation, he will be required to do so when he steps into the role of state college president. The specific start date has not been set and will be part of discussions concerning his compensation.

Temple is supposed to run for reelection in 2026.

Sumter County is currently without a senator in the Florida Senate. Blaise Ingoglia resigned to become Florida chief financial officer in July.

The state set a special primary election for that race on Sept. 30, and a special general election is set for Dec. 9.

When Temple resigns, Gov. DeSantis will have to do the same for Florida House District 52.

Meanwhile, the Florida Legislature will have committee hearings later this year ahead of the next 60-day legislative session in January.

Information from News Service of Florida was used in this report.