Jim Rosica
As expected, Florida House Republicans Monday formally nominated state Rep. Richard Corcoran as the House Speaker for the next two years.
The chamber’s GOP majority met the day before the Legislature’s biennial Organization Session, where he will be officially selected.
Republican Leader Ray Rodrigues nominated Corcoran, with a second from Pasco County’s Chris Sprowls, the likely Speaker for 2020-22.
The Land O’ Lakes Republican will lead the House up to the 2018 election.
In brief remarks, Corcoran told the chamber he would always try to remember his “why.”
“My ‘why’ is truth, goodness, and beauty,” he said. “Power erodes morality, conscience, and character. That’s how we started with ethics reform. We have to remove those temptations.
“If we have the courage to believe in something bigger, then we really will have the opportunity to create a more beautiful world,” he added.
House members then watched a video, narrated by motivational speaker Eric Thomas, about boxer Buster Douglas.
Douglas was knocked down by Mike Tyson before getting up and later knocking him out in a 1990 fight.
After the video, a message read: “Before every vote, before every meeting, before every decision … know your why.”
Also selected was Jeanette Nunez of Miami as speaker pro tempore. Members also adopted the House GOP conference rules.
They include a requirement that members serve one full session before directly or indirectly soliciting pledges of support for leadership positions, including House speaker.
