SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A trial is set to begin Wednesday for a man accused of trying to influence a Central Florida election.

Watch: 3 charged in connection with 2020 state Senate race ‘ghost candidate’ controversy

Ben Paris is accused of helping put a ghost candidate on the 2020 ballot.

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Paris’ trial will get underway at the Seminole County Courthouse.

Prosecutors say Paris and two others siphoned votes away from Democrats in a competitive race.

It’s connected to the 2020 race for the Florida state senate seat for District 9, which covers parts of Seminole and Volusia counties.

Watch: Third-party ghost candidate in local Senate race the focus of FDLE investigation

Republican Jason Brodeur defeated Democrat Patricia Sigman in that race, by more than 7,600 votes.

A third-party ghost candidate, Jestine Iannotti, who didn’t campaign, got nearly 5,800 votes.

It’s unclear if the ghost candidate changed the outcome of the race.

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Two others have also been charged in connection with the scheme. Both could testify in this trial.

Paris maintains his innocence.

Channel 9 will be inside the courtroom and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

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