Florida Republican candidate who admitted to faking her college diploma now drops out of race after initially vowing to stay in

  • Melissa Howard, 46, revealed on Tuesday she was dropping out of the race for the Florida House seat
  • It comes after she apologized on Monday for lying about her college degree
  • She posted a photo last week of what looked like a diploma from Miami University in Ohio after being accused of lying about her diploma 
  • The university later sent out a statement saying she attended the school but never actually graduated and that her diploma was fake
  • Howard initially said she would stay in the race and 'lead by example'

Florida candidate Melissa Howard, 46, revealed on Tuesday she was dropping out of the race for the Florida House seat after admitting she lied about having a college degree

Florida candidate Melissa Howard, 46, revealed on Tuesday she was dropping out of the race for the Florida House seat after admitting she lied about having a college degree

A Republican Florida state house candidate has now dropped out of the race, a day after admitting she lied about having a college degree.

Melissa Howard, 46, posted a photo of herself last week with what looked like a diploma from Miami University in Ohio after being accused of lying about her marketing degree.

The Ohio university later sent out a statement saying Howard had attended the school but never actually graduated. They also said the diploma Howard posted was fake.

Howard told the the Sarasota Herald-Tribune on Tuesday it was the right decision to drop out of the race for the Florida House seat.

'I made a terrible error in judgment,' Howard said. 

'I am thankful for everyone who gave so much toward my success, and I am deeply sorry.' 

Her decision to drop out came soon after she issued an apology on Monday via her campaign Facebook page. She had vowed to remain in the race and 'lead by example from now on'. 

'I would like to apologize to my family and my supporters for this situation. It was not my intent to deceive or mislead anyone,' she said on Monday.

'I made a mistake in saying that I completed my degree. What I did was wrong and set a bad example for someone seeking public service. 

Howard dropped out  on Tuesday, just one day after issuing a statement in which she admitted that she lied but vowed to remain in the race

Howard dropped out on Tuesday, just one day after issuing a statement in which she admitted that she lied but vowed to remain in the race

The 46-year-old posted a photo of herself last week with what looked like a diploma from Miami University in Ohio after being accused of lying about her marketing degree

The 46-year-old posted a photo of herself last week with what looked like a diploma from Miami University in Ohio after being accused of lying about her marketing degree

The Ohio university later sent out a statement saying Howard had attended the school but never actually graduated. They also said the diploma Howard posted (above) was fake

The Ohio university later sent out a statement saying Howard had attended the school but never actually graduated. They also said the diploma Howard posted (above) was fake

'I am staying in the race and intend to win and lead by example from now on.'

Even if she dropped out, it would be too late to get her name off the ballot ahead of the August 28 primary given vote by mail ballots were sent out a month ago. 

The seat represents portions of Manatee and Sarasota counties, where about 20,000 Republican votes have already been cast.

While some have taken to social media to say Howard should drop out, local party officials say the matter should be left to voters.

'We should just let nature take its course. Let the voters decided if they want her to win the primary,' Manatee County Republican committeewoman Peggy Simone said. 

Howard was found to have attended the school, but there were no records of her completing a degree. The above record shows that she was only enrolled at the school

Howard was found to have attended the school, but there were no records of her completing a degree. The above record shows that she was only enrolled at the school

Tommy Gregory

At the time, Howard said the questions surrounding her degree were 'lies' and claimed they were pushed by her primary opponent, Tommy Gregory (right)

Howard came into the spotlight last week after questions were raised about the degree in Bachelor of Science in Marketing that she claimed to have completed in 1994. She later amended the year to 1996. 

After initial reports that she had lied about getting the degree, Howard traveled back to Ohio and posted a picture of her partial college transcript and a copy of her diploma.

Howard was found to have attended the school, but there were no records of her completing a degree.

According to the general counsel at the University, the school does not offer a Bachelor of Science in Marketing but does offer a Bachelor of Science in Business.

At the time, Howard said the questions surrounding her degree were 'lies' and claimed they were pushed by her primary opponent, Tommy Gregory.