Before Alexander , Rep . Ben Diamond , D-St . Petersburg , had been expected to succeed outgoing Leader Evan Jenne , D-Dania Beach , in November . But Diamond announced he would not run for re-election to the House , instead announcing a run for a Tampa-area congressional seat . Diamond has since suspended his congressional campaign .
Driskell , an attorney first elected to the House in 2018 , will take over as badly outnumbered Democrats try to retain seats in the November elections . “ 2022 is going to be a tough year for us . It ’ s going to be a tough year for Democrats across the board . Just any time the party that has the president in office , it ’ s a tough year in the midterms . But our plan is to focus really hard and make sure that we bring back each and every ( Democratic ) member , so success to us would look like holding ,” Driskell said . simply being the ‘ first ’ — her exemplary legal career , service to others and tenacity to do what ’ s right will continue to bolster not only our Democratic colleagues in the House , but our collective , efforts to defend Floridians ’ rights and freedoms across both chambers ,” Book said in a statement .
Driskell will take the helm at the same time as incoming House speaker , Rep . Paul Renner , R-Palm Coast . Renner will replace outgoing House Speaker Chris Sprowls , R-Palm Harbor . “ Rep . Renner and I get along very well . We ’ ve served on committees together , particularly when I was a first-term legislator , he was chair of the Judiciary Committee . I think that ’ s where we best got to know one another . And I ’ m looking forward to his leadership and being his counterpart in the House Democratic caucus ,” Driskell said .
Standing alongside Driskell following Tuesday ’ s caucus election , Jenne said the transition to Driskell as incoming leader is “ virtually seamless ,” in part because of Driskell ’ s work with the Democrats ’ campaign committee , Florida House Victory . Jenne will leave the House this year because of term limits .
Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book , D-Plantation , said Driskell “ made history ” Tuesday by getting chosen to become the first Black woman to lead the caucus . “ But Leader Driskell is remarkable far beyond
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