Deutch announces run for Wexler's seat

Florida State Sen. Ted Deutch has announced that he will run for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler.

Deutch, D-Boca Raton, announced his plans Thursday to run for the 19th Congressional District seat.

Wexler, a Florida Democrat who was elected to his seat in 1996, announced his resignation Wednesday. The 48-year-old congressman will leave office in January to become president of the Center for Middle East Peace. Because he will leave before the end of his term, a special election will be held to fill the seat.

Deutch was elected to the Florida Senate in November 2006. The 43-year-old lawmaker's district is mostly in Palm Beach County and includes parts of north Broward County.