Rep. Halsey Beshears,R-Monticello.
Date of Birth:November 27, 1971
Birthplace:Winter Park
Residence:Monticello
Occupation:Farmer
Education:Masters of Science in Entrepreneurship, University of Florida; Bachelors of Science in Social Science, Florida State University
Previous Public Office(s):None
Family:Wife, three daughters
Did you know?Past president of Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association; crazy about his family.
Leon Countys newest representative and its only Republican is a 40-year-old conservative farm boy whos never before served in elected office, but that doesnt mean hes inexperienced.
My family has followed agriculture all of my life, freshman Halsey Beshears of Monticello tells Sunshine State News.
Beshears has never held elected office, but his experience as past president of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association and as a small-business owner in the landscaping and nursery industries seems to have made him a sure fit for his assignments to the Florida Houses subcommittees on Agriculture and Natural Resources and Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations.
He tells the News he specifically requested these committee assignments from House Speaker Will Weatherford, and its not hard to see why: his own experience aside, Beshears represents heavily rural District 7, which includes all of Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla counties, as well as the southwest corner of Democrat-heavy Leon County.
It is the Sunshine States largest legislative district.
I can tell you whats on everyones mind in my district: the economy and jobs, Beshears tells the News. [My constituents] are concerned about getting government out of the way.
Beshear says he plans to introduce legislation pertaining to the agricultural interests of his district, but is not ready to publicly disclose his specific plans. He tells the News the bills he plans to introduce or support will likely tackle the issues of water rights, water nutrient criteria, and fertilizer use and application. Those are just a few of the big issues, to start with.
Asked what he believed the priorities of the Legislature will be in the coming session, he tells the News the Republican-dominated Legislature will continue to try and shrink the role of government across the whole state, [including] in agriculture. He also says Speaker Weatherford has indicated that state employee pensions reforms will continue to be a priority.
Beshears also sits on the House Regulatory Affairs Committee, the Energy and Utilities Subcommittee, and the Finance and Tax Subcommittee.
Asked to share with the News a piece of personal trivia most readers might not be familiar with, Beshears takes a moment to search his mind before offering a surprisingly emotional response.
I have three kids, three little daughters, who absolutely are my life, he says, his voice slightly cracking. I get emotional when I talk about them, I get teared up; they really are my soft spot. I dont know if everybody knows that about me, but I will tell you: My family is whats really important to me.
Reach Eric Giunta at egiunta@sunshinestatenews.com or at (954) 235-9116.
