Jim Rosica
The race to become the next Florida Senate president is over, and Joe Negron says he’s won.
But his competitor for the post, GOP state Sen. Jack Latvala, says: Not so fast.
On Wednesday, Negron said in a news release he had captured a majority of votes from the Senate’s Republican caucus to become head of his chamber for 2016-18, succeeding President Andy Gardiner.
The announcement seemingly put an end to a neck-and-neck and often contentious race between him and Latvala, a Clearwater Republican.
But Latvala told FloridaPolitics.com that Negron has erroneously claimed victory before.
“It’s the same announcement he’s made four or five times already,” Latvala said. “You know, this is nothing more than an attempt to force (Gardiner) into a designation call.”
With serious policy issues facing the Legislature, “this is not the time to be throwing a new stink bomb into the picture,” Latvala said.
At the same time, Senate spokeswoman Katie Betta confirmed to FloridaPolitics.com that a vote has been scheduled for the week of November 30, when lawmakers will be back in town for committee meetings. That’s the last committee week before the 2016 regular session starts in January.
In the news release, Negron said he is “gratified that the overwhelming majority of announced candidates in the 2016 open Senate seats have already formally pledged their support to me and our team.”
“It is clear that the Caucus is ready to formally designate its next Senate President,” said Negron, a Stuart Republican.
Negron listed his supporters as:
- Sen. Don Gaetz (District 1)
- Sen. Aaron Bean (District 4)
- Sen. Travis Hutson (District 6)
- Sen. Rob Bradley (District 7)
- Sen. Dorothy Hukill (District 8)
- Sen. Kelli Stargel (District 15)
- Sen. Thad Altman (District 16)
- Sen. Wilton Simpson (District 18)
- Sen. Jeff Brandes (District 22)
- Sen. Garrett Richter (District 25)
- Sen. Bill Galvano (District 26)
- Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (District 30)
- Sen. Anitere Flores (District 37)
Brandes, who shares a district boundary line with Latvala, was unavailable for an interview. He did send a text message: “Joe Negron has served the state of Florida with honor and distinction for many years. I am excited to support him in his designation as Senate President.”
“President Gardiner has indicated to me and other Senators that a Designation will be held during the first committee week of December 2015,” Negron said. “I remain committed to assisting President Gardiner in making sure his legislative agenda is accomplished in the 2016 Session.”
For an analysis of Negron’s announcement by FloridaPolitics.com‘s Peter Schorsch, click here.
