Kelly Hayes
First-term Sen. Danny Burgess is a significant up-and-comer in the Florida political arena.
With strong GOP establishment backing, the newly elected Senator is already showing signs of a promising future in the Legislature, leading a new committee and carrying the torch for conservative legislation.
“The Tampa Bay Area is fortunate to have advocate like Danny Burgess fighting for his community in Tallahassee. His energetic attitude lends itself to his tenacious work ethic,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson. “Whether he is leading the important work being done as Chair of the Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, championing for our veterans and military families, or taking a stand against big tech, he never fails to see the bigger picture – creating a better future for the Tampa Bay community and all Floridians.”
Burgess won Senate District 20 in a Special Election last November, where he received about 55% of the vote against Democrat Kathy Lewis. The race between the two came to be after the early resignation of Sen. Tom Lee.
“Sen. Burgess truly has a servant’s heart. Between his military background and energy spent working on behalf of his constituents, it’s hard to think of many people in the region who have devoted more of themselves in the service of others,” said Sydney Ridley of the Southern Group in Tampa Bay.
Burgess started the race as an immediate front-runner for the red-leaning district. The Republican nominee had served since 2018 as the Executive Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs and represented Florida House District 38 from 2014 until 2018.
Burgess had substantial support from the GOP, earning endorsements from several key Republican legislators, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Ashley Moody.
Since his election to the Senate, Burgess has been active in filing conservative legislation, and landed a committee chairmanship.
Simpson appointed Burgess to head the Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, a new committee that emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burgess is sponsoring a GOP priority in SB 484, which would toughen Florida laws regarding violent or destructive protesters and punish municipalities that seek to slash police budgets. It would also increase penalties for certain crimes committed during an unlawful assembly.
The proposal is the GOP’s counterpunch against civil unrest that unfolded last summer in the wake of George Floyd‘s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Burgess has also filed legislation that would require social media sites to provide notice to users who the platform has punished. The bill, SB 520, was prompted by Facebook and Twitter’s decision to permanently ban former President Donald Trump for inciting violence on its platform. GOP leadership is also prioritizing any legislation that imposes barriers on social media giants who they say silence conservative voices.
Another proposal Burgess is sponsoring, SB 54, would repeal Florida’s motor vehicle no-fault law, which requires drivers to carry personal injury protection. Simpson has already signaled support for the measure.
“Danny Burgess is public service. He’s selfless, caring, thoughtful, and one of the most compassionate politicians Florida has ever seen,” said GOP consultant Anthony Pedicini. “Besides being a Shark Week fin-atic, Burgess is a veteran who served our state in a cabinet-level position. From local government to military service, Danny Burgess will continue to be who he has always been — a good guy from a good community who will never stop fighting for Florida.”
Burgess has largely defined himself as a family man throughout his career. The Senator is active in sharing highlights of his life with three young children and his wife, Courtney. And who can forget their dog, Briar Burgess, who’s appearances in Tallahassee are a bright spot on otherwise dire days.
It’s paw-fficial, I’m here @FLSenate! pic.twitter.com/QoQhMqUTZq
— Briar Burgess 🐶 (@legallybriar) February 4, 2021
Burgess is already planning to run for reelection in 2022 when the seat is up for election again.
While the district’s boundaries will change before the 2022 elections because of reapportionment, it’s clear that Burgess will likely remain a prominent figure in Florida politics.
