Perry Thurston Named Next Democratic Leader in House

House Democrats named Rep. Perry Thurston of Plantation as their next leader after the 2012 elections when current House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West will face term limits. Thurston defeated current House Democratic Leader Pro Tempore Joe Gibbons of Hallandale Beach on Tuesday in a caucus vote.

In the coming months we will work as a united front, insisted Thurston, who also ran against Saunders two years before.

Thurston, who represents part of Broward County, promised the Democrats would be the loyal opposition to House Republicans and vowed to fight for common-sense solutions.

While the ballots were being counted, the House Democrats voted to take a caucus position against the unemployment compensation legislation that will be up on the House floor on Thursday. With only 39 of the Houses 120 seats under Democratic control, the Republican leadership of the House should have no problem passing the new legislation, which -- in reducing benefits from 26 to 20 weeks --they maintain will help businesses in the state.