Robertson told VoxPopuli in a text message that he withdrew from the race “to place my sole focus on my family.”

Florida statute allows for the chair of the state party and state party executive committee who live in the area that would be represented to designate a nominee if a candidate withdraws.

On Aug. 21, Florida Republican Party Chair Evan Power called a meeting of the members of the Republican State Executive Committee who live in Orange County to “consider designating a nominee to fill the vacancy in HD 40,” according to a letter sent by email to Cord Byrd, the Secretary of State.

The members “voted unanimously to designate Tuan Le to fill the Republican vacancy in nomination in HD 40,” Powers letter said.

Reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, Le, 46, said he’d been very surprised by the decision, humbled that his hard work in the special election had been recognized and that he took "the opportunity very seriously."

“As an Asian minority, I don’t expect all this at all,” said Le, who grew up in Pine Hills after emigrating with his family from Vietnam. He said the trust the GOP showed by selecting him demonstrated that Americans were looking for “good candidates, not just because of their backgrounds, where they come from. It’s about who can do the best for the position.”

Le has twice run unsuccessfully for Congressional District 10 — Val Demings’ former seat, now held by U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost — in 2022 and 2024. He lost both times in the primaries. He has also faced a string of evictions, tax liens and health code violations associated with his chain of Brevard County restaurants.

Asked what he thought about a re-match against Young, who won just a year ago with 75 percent of the vote, Le said he is unconcerned. He told VoxPopuli that even in a Democratic stronghold, he thinks he can win “if I put out the right message.”

“Last year and this year is completely different,” Le said. “Last year Mr. Young is running with his boss, so they vote for her, they vote for him.

“If people understand where I come from, how I grow up and what I’m going to do for the community, I think they have different thinking,” he continued. “Because last election, a lot of people don’t know who I am at first. Right now it’s different. I know that area is a Democrat district, but I believe people are smarter now. People know exactly what they need for the community and who will help them. It’s not about the party.”

As for Young, while he takes nothing for granted, he’s not concerned.

“The people spoke decisively when they had the opportunity the last time,” he told VoxPopuli in a phone call Wednesday afternoon.

Young added that he hopes voters return him to Tallahassee. “My work there isn’t done yet,” he said.