Jim Rosica
The man slated to be the next Speaker of the Florida House will return to his seat next year.
Incumbent state Rep. Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican, was the only person to qualify for his House seat Friday.
Candidates had until noon Friday to qualify to be on the ballot.
Corcoran, who represents District 37, is slated to be the Speaker for the 2017 and 2018 Legislative Sessions.
That assumes the GOP maintains its controlling majority in the 120-member House after the 2016 election. It is expected to, currently holding an 81-39 edge.
Corcoran, 51, first elected in 2010, was chief of staff to then-Speaker Marco Rubio, now a U.S. Senator. Last Session, he served as the House budget chief. He’s an attorney and father of six.
Jose Oliva, a Miami Lakes Republican who represents District 110, will follow Corcoran as speaker for 2019 and 2020. He drew an opponent today, Democrat Carlos Puentes Sr. of Hialeah.
Oliva, 43, first elected in 2011, is CEO of the Oliva Cigar Co. Most recently, he chaired the House Economic Affairs Committee and its select committees on Affordable Healthcare Access and Redistricting.
Chris Sprowls, a third state representative slated for the speakership after Oliva, will face opposition as well.
Bernie Fensterwald qualified as a Democrat, records show, and will face the GOP incumbent Sprowls in the November general election for that District 65 seat in Pinellas County.
