Local politician Rep. Larry Cretul could soon be second in command of the Florida House of Representatives.
Cretul, an Ocala Republican who represents west Gainesville, was announced Tuesday as the next speaker pro tempore.
The appointment will take effect Nov. 18, pending a formal legislative vote Nov. 17, Cretul said.
Cretul is currently the House's deputy majority leader.
He said the new appointment wouldn't affect his constituents in Alachua, Marion and Levy counties.
"First and foremost, I represent my district," he said.
As pro tempore, Cretul would work closely with the future speaker of the house who appointed him, Rep. Ray Sansom, a Republican from Destin.
"The biggest challenge is that we have a big hole in the budget," he said.
He and Sansom hope to put funding priorities on education and health care without raising taxes, Cretul said.
They also plan to promote economic development projects relating to road construction and tourism, he said.
Sansom also appointed five other Republican representatives to leadership positions for the House's next session.
