State Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, announced Wednesday he expects to be designated the next president of the Florida Senate.
Negron said he has 14 votes in the current caucus and expects to have the backing of an “overwhelming majority of announced candidates” who are currently running for open Florida Senate seats next year. Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, has been Negron’s chief rival for the Senate presidency.
“I am grateful to the majority of the Florida Senate Republican Caucus who have declared their support for me to serve as the Senate president for the 2016-2018 legislative term,” Negron said Wednesday.
Negron said Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, agreed to hold a designation ceremony in December.
“President Gardiner has indicated to me and other senators that a designation will be held during the first committee week of December 2015,” Negron said. “My fellow senators and I have a deep and abiding respect for the process and our caucus, and it is with that respect that we look forward to the designation ceremony in December and moving forward as one Senate.”
Sunshine State News talked to Gardiner’s office and was told that a caucus vote was scheduled for the first committee week, which starts on Nov. 30.
Negron said, in addition to his own vote, he has the support of Republican Sens. Thad Altman of Cape Caneveral, Aaron Bean of Jacksonville, Lizbeth Benacquisto of Fort Myers, Rob Bradley of Orange Park, Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, Anitere Flores of Miami, Don Gaetz of Destin, Bill Galvano of Bradenton, Dorothy Hukill of Port Orange, Travis Hutson of Palm Coast, Garret Richter of Naples, Wilton Simpson of New Port Richey and Kelli Stargel of Lakeland.
“I am also gratified that the overwhelming majority of announced candidates in the 2016 open Senate seats have already formally pledged their support to me and our team,” Negron said. “It is clear that the caucus is ready to formally designate its next Senate president.”
But the Latvala camp maintains the fight is not over. Latvala told the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times that several of Negron’s supporters would be term-limited in 2016. Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater, the senator’s son, insisted on Twitter Negron does not have things sewn up.
“Of the 14 senators listed today by Sen. Negron, at least three of them will be termed out,” the state represenative noted. “Eleven out of 40 doesn't quite equal a majority.”
But two Republicans not formally pledged to Negron, including Gardiner, also face term limits in 2016. Further complicating things, the Legislature will hold a special session starting in October, drawing up new Senate districts.
Despite all of this, with a majority of the Republican caucus and a vote scheduled for later in the year, Negron sounded confident Wednesday.
“I remain committed to assisting President Gardiner in making sure his legislative agenda is accomplished in the 2016 session,” Negron said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
Comments
EDITOR'S NOTE: The writer