Florida House Democrats have elected its new leader, Fentrice Driskell, the first Black woman to serve in the role of House Democratic Leader in the Florida Legislature.
Driskell, an attorney, was unanimously selected by the House Democratic Caucus as the Leader Designate of the Florida House Democrats. A Democrat representing part of Hillsborough County, she will lead the caucus during the 2022-24 term.
“I am humbled to have earned your confidence today,” Driskell said.
“I am the first Black woman to serve as House Democratic Leader. I grew up in Polk County from very humble beginnings,” she said. “My dad was a truck driver and a dispatcher, and my mom was a public school teacher for over 35 years. They instilled a number of values in my sister and me. The values my parents taught me, hard work, honesty, doing what you say, are the values that always guided me. They will guide me in this new role as well.”