Former Florida Secretary Of State Katherine Harris' Husband Commits Suicide

Former Florida Secretary Of State Katherine Harris' Husband Commits Suicide

The husband of former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris has committed suicide, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Police confirmed to the AP that Anders Ebbeson, Harris' husband, was found dead of apparent suicide at the couple's home in Sarasota.

Ebbeson, a Swedish businessman, was 68. According to Pastor William Hild of Sarasota First Baptist Church, Harris' husband had been dealing with health issues in recent years.

"On behalf of the family, Katherine's husband took his own life,” Hild said at a news conference, according to the Herald Tribune. “They are asking for privacy, prayer, thoughts and love from the community.”

Harris was thrust into the national spotlight during the controversy over Florida's ballots in the 2000 presidential election. The Republican Secretary of State certified that George W. Bush had defeated Democrat Al Gore in the Sunshine State, a decision later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 2002, Harris was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Florida's 13th District. In 2006, she unsuccessfully attempted to unseat Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). Harris left Congress in 2007.

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