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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.
The confluence of term limits and redistricting contributed to significant turnover in the Florida Legislature, which welcomed 59 new lawmakers — including members who shifted chambers. Freshmen members previously elected in special elections were not included. Democrats picked up five seats in the House, putting an end to Republicans’ veto-proof two-thirds majority, and gained two seats in the Senate, marking their first net gain in that chamber in 30 years. The GOP has a 76-44 edge in the House and a 26-14 advantage in the Senate.
Net worth figures were obtained from the 2011 financial disclosure statements required of all candidates. The reports include all assets individually valued at more than $1,000, including household goods and personal effects; any liabilities in excess of $1,000; all primary and secondary sources and amounts of income exceeding $1,000; and interests in specified businesses. Net worth is computed by subtracting reported liabilities from reported assets.
Senate
Five freshman Democrats and 10 Republicans were elected to the 40-member state Senate.
Joseph Abruzzo |
Joseph Abruzzo (D), 32, government relations and public policy consultant, Weiss, Handler & Cornwell
District 25 — part of Palm Beach County
Net Worth: $142,498
Notable: Abruzzo served two terms in the Florida House before moving to the Senate.
Aaron Bean |
Aaron Bean (R), 45, relationship development officer, Shands Jacksonville
District 4 — Nassau and part of Duval County
Net Worth: $544,310
Notable: Bean served eight years in the Florida House, including a term as elected chairman of the Duval County Legislative Delegation in 2008. He also previously served as a Fernandina Beach city commissioner and as the city’s mayor.
Rob Bradley |
Rob Bradley (R), 42, attorney
District 7 — Alachua, Bradford and Clay counties
Net Worth: $1.4 million
Notable: A former criminal prosecutor, Bradley also serves on the boards of Northeast Florida Community Hospice and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and received a gubernatorial appointment to the board of trustees of St. Johns River State College.
Jeff Brandes |
Jeff Brandes (R), 36, real estate
District 22 — parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties
Net Worth: $10.35 million
Notable: Brandes, an Iraqi war veteran, served one term in the Florida House.
Dwight Bullard |
Dwight Bullard (D), 35, teacher
District 39 — Hendry, Monroe and parts of Collier and Miami-Dade counties
Net Worth: $25,500
Notable: Bullard served two terms in the House.
Jeff Clemens |
Jeff Clemens (D), 42, energy contractor
District 27 — part of Palm Beach County
Net Worth: $26,700
Notable: Clemens moves to the Senate after one term in the House.
Bill Galvano |
Bill Galvano (R), 46, attorney
District 26 — DeSoto, Glades and Hardee counties and parts of Charlotte, Highlands, Hillsborough and Manatee counties
Net Worth: $1.5 million
Notable: Galvano served in the House from 2002-10.
Next page, meet more new senators.