Jeff Ashton, the prosecutor best known for his work in the Casey Anthony trial, defeated his former boss, longtime state attorney Lawson Lamar, in the heated race for the head of the Orange-Osceola State Attorney's race.
Lamar and Ashton have both made headlines since the Casey Anthony case and have since become bitter rivals. But outside Ashton's campaign headquarters Tuesday night, George Anthony showed nothing but support for the man who once tried to send his daughter to death row.
"He's going to do everything the right way," said George Anthony. "He wants to be in the courtroom. He wants to direct, he wants to be involved in every single case, and I think he will be. You can't just direct everything behind a desk."
Lamar said when he wakes up Wednesday, the state attorney's office will continue to work just as it had before. "I have been proud of my work done over eight terms," he told supporters at his party at Club Firestone in Orlando.
"Our work is not done, it will be over on January 1, 2013, when we had our office over... to the successor," Lamar said.
Lamar has held the position for more than two decades and said the office is working. Ashton said look at the numbers that Lamar has been letting criminals out on the streets.
"This has been an amazing experience for me," Ashton said at his party. "It has been so gratifying for me."
Both Lamar and Ashton are Democrats. There was a Republican in the race as well, but he dropped out before qualifying.
Ashton joked about that. "I also want to thank those Republican out there who may have voted for their first Democrat ever." Ashton promised to be more visible as state attorney. He also said he would end cronyism and improve morale in the office.