Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday he would appoint Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, to fill the vacant office of Pasco County tax collector. The post has been open since the death of Mike Olson.
Having served almost two decades in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, Fasano is a familiar face in Tallahassee. First elected to the Florida House in 1994, he rose to become majority leader in that chamber. In 2002, he was elected to the Florida Senate where he served a decade, becoming president pro tempore under then-Senate President Jeff Atwater. Facing term limits in the Senate in 2012, Fasano ran once again for the Florida House.
In more recent years, Fasano has clashed with the Republican leadership in Tallahassee. Fasano remained behind then-Gov. Charlie Crists campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2010 despite Crist leaving the GOP to run with no party affiliation. Fasano has also clashed with the current House leadership on expanding Medicaid.
Scott will head to Pasco County on Wednesday to announce the appointment. Praising Fasano as very customer oriented, the governor said on Tuesday he would be able to help his constituents in his new post.
With the backing of the Pasco County delegation, including House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, Fasano also was praised by legislators as he assumes his new duties.
Representative Fasano has worked tirelessly over the past 19 years in office fighting for the consumer and the little guy and gal, said Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, in a statement on Tuesday morning. He brings not only the expertise and know-how to run the office of tax collector, but he possesses the passion for excellent service that will benefit Pasco residents for years to come. Nineteen years ago Mike Fasano started with making his constituents and constituent service priority No. 1 and that has never changed. Pasco is indeed fortunate to have such a public servant, and I am proud to call him friend.
With Fasano leaving the House, his seat, which represents parts of Pasco County, will become open with a special election expected in the months to come. On paper, this is a competitive seat with 39 percent of the district registered as Democrats and 35 percent as Republicans. While Barack Obama carried this area twice, Rick Scott edged Alex Sink in the district back in 2010. Fasano faced primary opponents in 2012, but the Democrats did not run a candidate against him in the general election.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
