68-year-old Anders Ebbeson, the husband of Katherine Harris, the former Florida Secretary of State who became nationally known for her role in the disputed 2000 presidential election, was found dead Tuesday of an apparent suicide at the couple's mansion, Sarasota police said, as reported by The Associated Press.
Ebbeson was found dead at their home when officers were called on Tuesday morning, said Genevieve Judge, the Sarasota Police spokeswoman.
A Swedish businessman, Ebbeson reportedly suffered from health issues in recent years, according to Pastor William Hild of Sarasota First Baptist Church. The pastor did not elaborate on his health problems, nor how the businessman had committed suicide.
"It was a very loving and caring relationship," said Pastor Hild.
Ebbeson had owned "several European business interests, including a business that equipped yachts with appliances and lighting," The AP also reported.
Harris was in office during the disputed 2000 election in Florida, where she served as a controversial figure in securing George W. Bush's victory over Al Gore in the general election. Harris was instrumental in delivering the state's contested electoral votes needed for Bush's victory.
Harris also served in Congress from 2003-2007, The AP also reported.
"Politics wasn't his thing," Ed Rollins, a Republican strategist who worked on Harris' 2006 Senate campaign, in his description of Ebbeson.
"She was very high powered and he was totally supportive. He was not someone who wanted to be involved in it day-to-day. He was one of the lovelier political spouses that I worked with," added Rollins.
Harris and Ebbeson met in 1996 in Sarasota and were married the same year. Both had been married once before, news reports said.
