Very few politicians experienced the roller coaster ride that former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos had over the last five years as he experienced more than his share of both triumphs and reversals.
In 2010, while still the incoming Senate president, Haridopolos looked set for some major victories. He and then-incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon had worked well together and the two leaders threw their support behind then-Sen. John Thrasher to lead the Republican Party of Florida.
Despite some misses, such as backing then-Attorney General Bill McCollum over Rick Scott in the Republican gubernatorial primary and losing the fight over two redistricting constitutional amendments passed by voters, Hardiopolos scored some big wins and led the largest GOP majority in the Senate since Reconstruction.
But things quickly fell apart once Haridopolos had the gavel. Despite his partnership with Cannon, Haridopolos faced a $4 billion shortfall and had a hard time reaching a final budget with the House. He held the line on fees and raising taxes but conservatives never forgave him for not bringing a mandatory E-Verify bill in for a landing in 2011. Ethics charges also plagued Haridopolos, including Brevard Community College paying him $152,000 for Florida Legislative History and Processes," a book which, at first, saw only a single copy in the campus library.
Haridopolos made the mistake of taking his eye off the Florida Senate to run against U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. While he raised $3.5 million, Haridopolos generated little support from grassroots Republicans and abandoned his bid in July 2011, eventually throwing his support to then-U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla., against Nelson.
By the time Haridopolos left the Senate after the 2012 elections, more than a few observers were writing his political obituary. Haridopolos, though, saw things differently, noting the state economy was starting to bounce back when he left the Senate presidency and strides had been made on reforming Medicaid and public pensions.
Almost two and a half years later, Haridopolos has remained relevant, advising Scott in his search for a lieutenant governor in 2013 and supporting the governors political efforts. Despite their differences in 2010, Haridopolos worked closely with Scott during his tenure as Senate president.
Haridopolos has also raised his profile in recent weeks as a TV host and he remains very active on the Space Coast. The former Senate president has been helped considerably by his wife, Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, increasingly one of the most popular public health figures in Florida who has a gift for reaching the public about medicine and health-care issues. With more than $1 million left over from his Senate bid, Haridopolos is constantly the subject of speculation about another try for federal office.
Upbeat and affable, Haridopolos has surprised his critics on the left and right, bouncing back from some major defeats over the last five years. Many politicians would have been finished if they faced the setbacks Haridopolos experienced. He might not have achieved his ambitions over the last five years -- namely the U.S. Senate -- but he remains a factor in Florida politics and shouldn't be counted out.
ABOUT THIS SERIES: Mike Haridopolos is the ninth in a special anniversary series of 20 political personalities who loomed large since early 2010, when Sunshine State News set up shop in Tallahassee.Who else made the list? Click here to find out.)
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
