Andrew Warren

Warren was suspended as Hillsborough state attorney by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 and lost in his bid for reelection in November.

Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez was sworn into office Tuesday. It caps a saga that began when the governor suspended her predecessor, Andrew Warren.

Attorneys for the the former Hillsborough County state attorney, who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis and lost his reelection bid in November, argued that his legal efforts to overturn the suspension should be allowed to proceed.

Warren, a Democrat, ran in last week’s election against Suzy Lopez, a Republican who was appointed by DeSantis to serve as state attorney after Warren's suspension. Lopez received nearly 53% of the vote to win a full term.

Warren, who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis, lost a contentious race for state attorney to his appointed successor, Suzy Lopez.

The contest between Andrew Warren and Suzy Lopez has been one of the testiest for a position that usually flies under most people's radar screens. The political divide for this race is stark.

Andrew Warren will face Suzy Lopez, who was appointed to replace him by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The motion comes half a year after a federal appeals court ruled a judge could have him reinstated.

Things got testy during Friday's debate at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club debate in Ybor City between suspended Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren and his replacement, Suzy Lopez.

As suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren runs in November to try to regain his job, a legal battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis continues playing out at a federal appeals court.

In an interview with WUSF, Hillsborough state attorney Andrew Warren said the November election will be a choice between a candidate who has been elected twice and someone appointed.

Warren, who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis in August, made the announcement in a video posted on social media.