Florida GOP names replacement candidate

The candidate chosen to replace former Rep. Mark Foley on the November ballot faces the awkward task of persuading voters to elect him by casting a vote for the disgraced former congressman.

Foley had held his seat in Florida's largely Republican 16th district for the past dozen years and was seeking re-election until his sudden resignation over lurid online communications with teenage congressional pages.

Florida's Republican Party leaders selected state Rep. Joe Negron on Monday to replace Foley as their candidate in the Nov. 7 general election, but under state law, Foley's name cannot be removed from the ballot even though he has withdrawn.

Negron will receive votes cast for Foley.