Buoyed by family, friends and colleagues, Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, was unanimously named by the Florida Senate Republican Caucus on Tuesday president-designate for the 2018-20 Legislative Term.
Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, called Galvano "a true statesman. His intelligence, his ability to do the things that have to be done, and his commitment to serving others will allow for great things to happen in the Senate.”
Simpson and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, presided over Tuesday’s ceremony. Negron’s term will end at the 2018 General Election.
“Bill is a strong and dedicated leader who quickly earned the trust and confidence of our Republican Caucus,” said Negron. “From his service as Rules chair in the Florida House, to his time as majority leader in the Florida Senate, to his current role as chair of Higher Education Appropriations, time and time again, Bill is trusted with, and excels in, critical leadership positions.”
Galvano was nominated by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, who served as Senate president from 2004-06. The nomination was seconded by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.
In his nomination address, Lee called Galvano "a molder of consensus. ...
"Bill has proven he understands what it it is to lead in this Senate. ... He respects every member of this Senate and knows each of us walked in the same 95-degree heat to get here," said Lee.
Galvano was joined by his wife Julie and their three children, Michael, William, and Jacqueline. His mother, Betty Galvano, also attended the 11 a.m. ceremony along with Sterling and MaryJean Forrester, parents of Julie Galvano, as well as extended family and close friends.
“I am honored by the trust and confidence my fellow Republican senators have placed in me and extremely grateful to my family for their support,” said Galvano. “I firmly believe the power of the Senate and its ability to serve the people of Florida at the highest effectiveness lies in maximizing the strengths, backgrounds, perspectives, skills, and talents of each and every member of this body. I take the responsibility to serve as the president-designate very seriously and look forward to working with President Negron, Leader Simpson, and all of my Senate colleagues to ensure that every senator has the opportunity to voice the priorities of their constituents.”
See Galvano’s ceremony in full via The Florida Channel here.
The Florida Democratic Party, as expected, was less impressed with Republicans' choice for the next Senate president.
After the ceremony, FDP spokesperson Johanna Cervone issued this statement: “Senator Galvano has consistently voted against the interests of Florida. From the disastrous mammoth education bill -- HB 7069 -- to passing a state budget in total secrecy, Senator Galvano has shown that he is willing to put special interests before Floridians."
Concluded Cervone, "After 20 years of disastrous GOP policies, Florida is ready for a better deal. Recent victories by Democrats indicate that Floridians are ready to vote out Republicans who continue to put themselves before Florida families. And, as a result, we don’t expect Senator Galvano to be in power long.”
Sen. William Saint “Bill” Galvano and his family are longtime residents of Bradenton. Galvano served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2002-10, during which he spent a term as chair of the House Rules and Calendar Council from 2008-10, under House Speaker Larry Cretul. Elected to the Florida Senate in 2012, Galvano currently represents SD 21, which consists of Manatee County and part of Hillsborough County. Galvano has held several leadership positions in the Senate, including serving a term as Senate Majority (Republican) Leader from 2014-2016, under Senate President Andy Gardiner.
A graduate of Manatee Community College, the University of Florida, and the University of Miami Law School, Galvano is a partner with the law firm Grimes Goebel Grimes Hawkins Gladfelter & Galvano of Bradenton.
