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Ben Albritton

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Ben Albritton
President of the Florida Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 20, 2024
Preceded byKathleen Passidomo
Majority Leader of the Florida Senate
In office
November 14, 2022 – November 20, 2024
Preceded byDebbie Mayfield
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 27th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 6, 2018
Preceded byDenise Grimsley
Personal details
Born (1968-08-17) August 17, 1968 (age 56)
Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMissy Schrader
Children3
EducationFlorida Southern College (BS)

Ben Albritton (born August 17, 1968) is a Republican politician, current member of the Florida Senate and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 56th District, which includes DeSoto County, Hardee County, and southwestern Polk County, from 2012 to 2018. Albritton previously represented the 66th District from 2010 to 2012.

History

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Albritton was born in Lakeland and attended Florida Southern College[1], where he received a degree in citrus in 1990. Following graduation, he joined his family's citrus grove company, working with his brother and his uncle. Albritton served on the Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association Board from 2002 to 2007, and in 2005, he was appointed to the Florida Citrus Commission by Governor Jeb Bush,[2] where he served until 2010 following reappointment by Governor Charlie Crist, including a tenure as chairman from 2007 to 2010. Additionally, Albritton served on the East Charlotte County Drainage District as a board member.

Florida House of Representatives

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When incumbent State Representative Baxter Troutman was unable to seek re-election in 2010 due to term limits, Albritton ran to succeed him in the 66th District, which included Hardee County, southern Polk County, and northwestern Highlands County. He faced Chevon Baccus in the Republican primary, whom he significantly outraised,[3] eventually defeating her with 79% of the vote. In the general election, he faced only a write-in opponent, whom he defeated with 99% of the vote. Following his election, Albritton indicated that he intended to run to be Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 2016-2018 session,[4] but he lost out to Richard Corcoran.[5]

In 2012, when the state legislative districts were reconfigured, Albritton was moved to the 56th District, which included most of the territory that he represented in the 66th District. He faced no opposition in the primary or general elections and won his second term entirely uncontested. Albritton was re-elected to his third term in the legislature without opposition in 2014.

Florida Senate

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Albritton was elected to the Florida Senate in 2018.

In 2022 Albritton sponsored Senate Bill 2508,[6] a controversial measure[7] which drew the ire of fishing guides and conservationists.[8] Critics called it a last second "sneak attack" that sought to prioritize the supply of water from Lake Okeechobee for industrial sugarcane farmers over the health of the Everglades ecosystem.[9] The measure, filed as a "budget conforming bill," was subject to only one public hearing;[10] though it was approved by the Florida Legislature, it was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.[6]

Albritton will be Senate President for the 2024-26 term. His campaign committee, Friends of Ben Albritton, has raised $846,225 since August 2022, including $50,000 from U.S. Sugar, and several political action committees funded heavily by the sugar industry.[11] Another committee chaired by Albritton, Advancing Florida Agriculture,[12] has gotten $83,000 from sugar industry interests since 2022.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Senator Albritton - The Florida Senate". www.flsenate.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  2. ^ Vecerina, Michelle (5 Nov 2024). "Senate President-Designate Ben Albritton wins reelection to Senate District 27 seat". Florida's Voice. Retrieved 19 Nov 2024.
  3. ^ "House Seats 66-70: At Least Three New Members Headed to the House". Sunshine State News. August 14, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  4. ^ Rufty, Bill (December 20, 2010). "Incoming Legislator Ben Albritton Has Eye on Climbing Ladder". The Ledger. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Caputo, Marc (January 25, 2011). "How Richard Corcoran became House Speaker". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  6. ^ a b "SB 2508 (2022) - Environmental Resources | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  7. ^ Bayles, Tom (2022-03-16). "Much-maligned Everglades bill awaits governor's decision". WGCU PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  8. ^ "Ed Killer: Florida Senate needs to remember who it works for and show voters more respect". Treasure Coast. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  9. ^ Sutton, Scott; Sczesny, Matt (2022-02-10). "Florida Senate bill seeks to control Lake Okeechobee water, brings fierce opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  10. ^ "Senate OKs amended water supply bill. Critics say last-minute changes aren't good enough". Treasure Coast. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  11. ^ "Campaign Finance Activity - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Committee Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". dos.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
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Florida Senate
Preceded by President of the Florida Senate
2024–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Florida Senate
2022–2024 		Succeeded by
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