Senate President taps Thrasher for committee

Florida Senate President, Mike Haridopolos, announced his appointment of St. Augustine Senator John Thrasher to Historic City News yesterday; saying that Thrasher will be one of his three picks to decide the date when Florida will hold its Presidential Primary Election.

The Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate, each get to appoint three members to the Presidential Preference Primary Committee; which must select a date before the end of the month.

The Secretary of State serves as a non-voting member of the ten-member committee.

Haridopolos’ other two choices were:

Senator Rene Garcia(R-Hialeah) currently represents Florida Senate District 40, which consists of part of Miami-Dade County. Garcia first was elected to the Senate in 2010. Prior to serving in the Florida Senate, Garcia was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2008.

Senator Gary Siplin(D-Orlando) currently represents Florida Senate District 19, which consists of parts of Orange and Osceola Counties. Siplin was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and was subsequently reelected. Prior to serving in the Florida Senate, Siplin was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2002.

Republican Senator Thrasher currently represents Florida Senate District 8, which consists of parts of Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia Counties. Thrasher was first elected to the Senate in 2009 and was subsequently reelected. Prior to serving in the Florida Senate, Thrasher was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992-2000; he also served as Speaker of the Florida House from 1998-2000.

Governor Scott has appointed former Republican Governor Bob Martinez, former Florida Senator Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, and Jenn Ungru, his deputy chief of staff.

House Speaker Cannon has yet to announce his appointments.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer