Speaker Maria Sachs?

A surreal moment in the House this afternoon as a Democrat stood in for the Speaker. Rep. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, held the gavel briefly during the Houses debate on Medicaid reform. Earlier in the day, Sachs offered a farewell address, thanking her family and staff for their service.

Sachs has only been in the House for four years, rising up to become a deputy whip for the Democrats. She is now running for the state senate seat that Ted Deutch vacated when he was elected to the U.S. Congress.

Sachs was not shy in using the gavel. Lets keep it down kids, she said when House members engaged in conversation drowned out remarks by Rep. Geri Thompson, D-Orlando.