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Florida Senators being sworn in.
Tallahassee Trend
Florida's Freshman Lawmakers
Meet Florida's new crop of senators and house representatives. Each profile includes party, district, net worth and notable news.
Senate (continued)
 Denise Grimsley |
Denise Grimsley (R), 53, registered nurse/citrus grower
District 21 — Okeechobee County and parts of Highlands, Martin, Osceola, Polk and St. Lucie counties
Net Worth: $585,023
Notable: Grimsley served in the Florida House from 2004-12. During the last legislative session, she chaired the House Appropriations Committee, the first woman to serve in that position.
 Dorothy Hukill |
Dorothy Hukill (R), 66, attorney
District 8 — parts of Lake, Marion and Volusia counties
Net Worth: $54,883
Notable: Hukill served in the Florida House from 2004-12 and was mayor of Port Orange from 2000-04.
 Tom Lee |
Tom Lee (R), 50, vice president, director, Sabal Homes of Florida
District 24 — part of Hillsborough County
Net Worth: $3.17 million
Notable: Lee returns after a six-year hiatus.
 John Legg |
John Legg (R), 37, administrator/teacher
District 17 — parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties
Net Worth: $89,912
Notable: Legg served in the Florida House from 2004-12 and was deputy majority whip from 2006-08.
 Wilton Simpson |
Wilton Simpson (R), 46, egg farmer and president, Simpson Environmental Services
District 18 — Hernando County and parts of Pasco and Sumter counties
Net Worth: $12.3 million
Notable: Simpson, a political novice who owns an egg farm and asbestos removal and construction company, ran unopposed in both the primary and general election.
 Darren Soto |
Darren Soto (D), 34, attorney
District 14 — parts of Orange, Osceola and Polk counties
Net Worth: (-$75,142)
Notable: Soto moves over from the House, where he had served since 2007.
 Kelli Stargel |
Kelli Stargel (R), 46, investment property manager
District 15 — parts of Orange, Osceola and Polk counties
Net Worth: $99,182
Notable: Stargel served two consecutive terms in the Florida House, where she chaired the K-20 Innovation Subcommittee.
 Geraldine Thompson |
Geraldine Thompson (D), 64, museum founder and retired college administrator
District 12 — part of Orange County
Net Worth: $658,323
Notable: Thompson served in the House for three consecutive terms and as Democratic Leader pro tempore from 2008-10.
Next page, meet new members of Florida's House.
