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.
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