With incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, announcing Friday that he will name Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey, as speaker pro tempore and Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, as House majority leader, incoming House Minority Leader Ron Saunders of Key West responded Monday by naming key members of his leadership team.
With five Democratic incumbents losing their seats in last weeks elections, Saunders heads up a depleted caucus. Saunders, who takes over from current House Minority Leader Franklin Sands of Weston, will lead 38 other Democrats. But, with 81 Republicans in the House and a Republican governor taking office, opportunities for House Democrats to block GOP legislation will be few and far between.
Saunders named Rep. Joe Gibbons of Pembroke Park as the Democratic leader pro tem, taking the place of Rep. Geri Thompson of Orlando. Gibbons was first elected in 2005, representing parts of Broward County. He served as a city commissioner in Hallandale Beach and won another term last week without opposition.
Rep. Gibbons is an outstanding public servant who brings a businessmans perspective to the Florida Legislature, said Saunders. He is a trusted adviser and a much-admired member of the Democratic Caucus who is known for his passion and dedication to the people of Florida. I will appreciate Joes sage advice in his role as Democratic Caucus leader pro tempore.
Saunders named Rep. Evan Jenne of Fort Lauderdale to serve as whip -- a role with which Jenne is familiar. First elected in 2006, Jenne, the son of longtime state senator and former Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne, has served off and on as whip and enjoyed a stint as Democratic floor leader during 2008. Jenne -- who, like Gibbons, represents parts of Broward County --did not face a Republican opponent last week and took 66 percent of the vote against Edward Bender, who ran with no party affiliation.
Rep. Jenne is an enthusiastic and intelligent legislator from Broward County who will be a great inspiration to the House Democratic Caucus, insisted Saunders. "As Democratic whip, Evans legislative experience and energy will be invaluable to the Caucus, and he will be relied upon for a wide variety of leadership responsibilities.
Rep. Rick Kriseman of St. Petersburg was chosen to serve as Democratic policy chair, replacing Rep. Keith Fitzgerald of Sarasota who was one of the five House Democrats defeated last week. Kriseman, who served on the St. Petersburg City Council before being elected to the House, has represented parts of Pinellas County since 2006. Despite the Republican tide last week, Kriseman survived, managing to defeat Republican challenger Thomas Cuba with 59 percent of the vote. As a member of the Democratic Leadership Councils (DLC) legislative advisory board, Kriseman has received some attention from that organization.
Rep. Kriseman, our former deputy policy chair and a statewide leader on clean-energy policy, is a successful attorney with an impressive background as both a legislator and former city councilman from St. Petersburg, said Saunders. Rick brings keen political insights and intelligence. He will be relied upon for his analytical skills.
Saunders indicated that he will name other members of his leadership team.
Later this week, I intend to submit to Speaker-designate Dean Cannon a list of recommendations for Democratic ranking members' assignments, and at the appropriate time, will make other Caucus leadership appointments, wrote Saunders in a memo to his Caucus.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.