Tommy Doyle is up for re-election for a third term as supervisor of elections.
Over the weekend, Doyle admitted to an extramarital affair with a co-worker five years ago.
In a statement to NBC2, he apologized, saying:
"I am very remorseful for a terrible decision I made five years ago, which has hurt my wife deeply. This was the worst decision of my life and something I greatly regret. My wife and I are working through this together and through the grace of God, we are healing as a family. I also apologize to the staff of the Supervisor of Elections office and my constituents of Lee County. I acted outside my moral integrity. I take full responsibility for my behavior. I want to assure voters that this will not affect the Supervisor’s Office’s ability to conduct secure and accurate elections in our upcoming Primary and General Elections."
He refused to answer any questions NBC2 had about his 2019 affair with a woman he worked with back then, but he said he's focused on Tuesday's primary.
"In 2020, I didn't have anybody running against me, so I didn't have to run for reelection," Doyle said. "I just was elected, which is very just. It just gives you a good feeling when people have that confidence about you. I think it's the way I treat the team."
His opponent, Michael "Mick" Peters, did speak on the affair. He said Doyle shouldn't be able to keep his job.
"I'm calling for FDLE to do an immediate investigation, Mr. Doyle to resign and a temporary person be installed," Peters said. "Because frankly, if you can't be trusted with our money, he sure shouldn't be trusted with our votes."
A local apartment complex visitor report shows Doyle going to his employee's apartment multiple times during work hours in 2019.
"The fact that it was the superior-subordinate relationship, both people were on the clock, it was in the middle of the week, and it was when both of them are getting paid by our tax dollars," Peters said.
The woman filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Complaint, but later withdrew it. In the complaint, she said while the affair was immoral, it was not illegal.
"I don't know how any decent human being is supposed to react to this," Peters said. "I've been married for 33 years to my wife, and it's never crossed my mind to go anywhere else with anybody else."
The Primary Election is Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.