House Democrats named Rep. Perry Thurston of Plantation as their next leader when current Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West falls out due to term limits after the 2012 election cycle.
Thurston defeated current Democratic Leader Pro Tempore Joe Gibbons of Hallandale Beach on Tuesday in a caucus vote after the House opened the 2011 session. Thurston took 28 of the 39 caucus votes.
In his remarks after being elected, he called for unity --a theme repeated in all the speeches endorsing and seconding the two nominees.
In the coming months we will work as a united front, insisted Thurston, who also ran against Saunders two years before.
I am humbled by the vote of confidence from you, my colleagues, Thurston said after being named winner of the contest. In the coming months, we will work as a united caucus to offer common-sense solutions to the challenges Floridians continue to face. We will be the loyal opposition that respects the institution, but we will be forceful with our voice for policies that protect middle-class families, the states public education system and our dedicated public employees.
Thurston, who represents part of Broward County, was first elected to the House in 2006. During a meeting with then-incoming Gov. Rick Scott held back in December, Thurston expressed some support for an income tax for Florida residents.
In a speech endorsing Thurston, Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg, praised his colleagues abilities on the House floor as well as his ability to reach out across the aisle to work with the Republicans who retain overwhelming control of the body, with 81 of the Houses 120 seats. Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Cutler Bay, focused on Thurstons debating skills in his seconding speech.
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 after hearing from Mike Williams of the state AFL-CIO. While some of the Democrats looked to table the vote until they all could review it, a majority pushed the caucus position vote through. Both Rep. Geri Thompson, D-Orlando, and Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, said they would look to amend the measure when it reached the House floor.
Besides facing a dominant Republican majority, Thurston will face challenges in recruiting candidates to run for House seats and in helping them with fund-raising. In the 2010 election cycle, Republicans were able to defeat five House Democratic incumbents.
Republicans officially designated Rep. Will Weatherford of Wesley Chapel as the next speaker after the 2012 elections.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
