On Thursday, as the special session in Tallahassee continued to draw up new state Senate lines, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, announced that he would be the next Senate president as Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, ended his bid to lead the chamber.
Bowing to reality, Latvala asked his supporters to fall behind Negron who will take over from current Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, after next year’s general election. Negron announced at the end of the summer that he had enough votes to take Gardiner's place as Senate president.
Despite the legnthy battle to lead the chamber, Negron said he would work with his former rival.
“I look forward to working with Sen. Latvala and the entire Republican caucus as we represent the citizens of Florida,” Negron said on Thursday. “The Senate is comprised of 40 strong, independent voices and I will ensure that every senator is heard.”
Latvala will lead the Appropriations Committee under Negron.
“Sen. Negron and I are focused on moving the Republican caucus forward in a unified manner,” Latvala said.
At the end of August, Negron declared victory, noting he had the support of 14 members of the 26 member GOP caucus. Gardiner announced at that time that the Senate would hold a designation for the next Senate president for the first week of December 2015. On Thursday, Negron announced that ceremony would be held on December 2.
Negron is a familiar figure in Tallahassee having been elected for the first time to the Florida House back in 2000. He served three terms in the House but was defeated when he ran for Congress back in 2006. Negron bounced back in 2009, winning a special election for a Senate seat.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
