Democrats in the Florida Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to name Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale their next leader. Smith will take the reins from current Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich of Sunrise after the 2012 elections.
I am proud of the confidence my caucus has shown in me said Smith. Florida faces many problems over the next few years and I look forward to leading the Democratic Caucus as we craft solutions.
Smith, who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, is no stranger to serving in the leadership. Before being elected to the Senate in 2008, he served in the Florida House of Representatives for eight years and served as Democratic leader during his last term from 2004-2006. He now serves as vice chairman of both the Banking and Insurance Committee and the Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee.
In 1995, the same year that he completed law school, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission tapped Smith to serve on the Planning and Zoning Board. Smith garnered some national attention in the aftermath of the close and controversial 2000 presidential election count in Florida and made electoral reform one of his areas of expertise.
As things stand now, Smith will lead a depleted caucus -- with Democrats controlling 12 of the 40 seats in the Senate. With the Legislature engaged in redistricting, things could change dramatically, especially with Florida voters backing two constitutional amendments on redistricting at the ballot box in the 2010 elections.
Incoming Democratic House Leader Perry Thurston of Plantation offered Smith some words of praise Wednesday morning.
I am extremely proud today to congratulate my friend and legislative colleague, Senator Chris Smith, on the occasion of his designation as the 2012-2014 leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said Thurston. Chris has proven himself to be a congenial and much-respected lawmaker, as well as a spirited leader for Democratic Caucus members and our supporters throughout the state.
It brings me considerable comfort to know that my tenure as leader of the House Democratic Caucus in 2012-2014 will coincide with Senator Smiths term as Senate Democratic leader, Thurston added. Our friendship and mutual respect for one another will be a great asset for the people we serve.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
