Special elections set for 2 Fla. legislative seats

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Gov. Charlie Crist has set special elections in South Florida to replace two Democratic state lawmakers who have resigned.

Sen. Frederica Wilson of Miami is leaving the Legislature because she was elected to the U.S. House in November. Rep. Oscar Branyon II of Miami Gardens has resigned to run for Wilson's Senate seat.

Crist on Wednesday set primary elections Feb. 8 and general elections March 1 for both seats. The Legislature convenes in regular session March 8.

Wilson won the 17th Congressional District seat given up by Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, who lost a the U.S. Senate race to Republican Marco Rubio. Crist, a former Republican, also ran for the Senate seat as independent.