TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Two central Florida Republicans are taking control of the Florida Legislature.
The Florida Legislature convened a brief session Tuesday where members voted for a new Senate president and a new House speaker.
Rep. Steve Crisafulli of Merritt Island was elected speaker while Sen. Andy Gardiner of Orlando was chosen as president.
Crisafulli replaces Will Weatherford, who is leaving because of term limits. Sen. Don Gaetz has another two years left in office.
Forty-five-year-old Gardiner is a native of Orlando who currently works as a vice president of external affairs and community relations for Orlando Health.
Forty-three-year-old Crisafulli was born in Rockledge and has worked in agriculture and real estate. Members of his family include a former Florida governor and a state Supreme Court justice.