Incoming Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, spent an industrious week shaping his leadership team as he prepares to start presiding over the upper chamber next week.
Gardiner announced Thursday he is keeping Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, as president pro tempore. The Senate will meet next week when Gardiner takes over from current Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Destin. Sources familiar with the incoming Senate president tell Sunshine State News they expect Gardiner to focus some of his efforts on state aid to disabled and disadvantaged children.
As a veteran of the Vietnam War, a business owner and a family man who worked his way from a bank janitor to a bank president, Garrett brings a range of personal and professional experiences to the Senate that allow him to relate to people from all walks of life and to build consensus without compromising principle, said Gardiner on Thursday. He has a contagious energy and a strong work ethic that will be a valuable asset as we work to build our policy agenda.
First elected to the Florida Senate in 2008 after two years in the House, Richter, who was in banking before politics, represents parts of Lee and Collier counties.
Richter was not the only Florida senator named to the leadership this week. On Monday, the Senate president-elect tapped Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, to lead the Rules Committee.
David is a loyal adviser, a trusted confidante and good friend, Gardiner said on Monday. With over three decades of experience practicing law and 10 years of service in the state Legislature, he is well-qualified to assume this critical leadership position. Throughout his years of public service, David has exhibited sound judgment and a fair-minded, reasonable and thoughtful approach to decision making that, I am confident, will be a great benefit to the Senate over the next two years.
First elected to the Senate in 2010, Simmons represents all of Seminole County and part of Volusia County. Currently the financial managing partner of de Beaubien, Knight, Simmons, Mantzaris, & Neal, Simmons is a well-regarded attorney who served eight years in the Florida House.
With two contenders -- Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, and Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart -- still battling to see who leads the Senate after the 2016 elections, Gardiner tapped outgoing Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, to head up campaign efforts for Republican senators. As Saint PetersBlog first reported on Wednesday, Gardiner sent out a memo explaining why he was bypassing Latvala and Negron and choosing Benacquisto for the post. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Bill Galvano, R-Brandenton, will help Benacquisto with her new responsibilities.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
