Fentrice Driskell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minority Leader of theFlorida House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office November 22, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Evan Jenne |
| Member of theFlorida House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office November 6, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Shawn Harrison |
| Constituency | 63rd district (2018–2022) 67th district (2022–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1979-03-03)March 3, 1979 (age 46) Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
| Website | State House website |
Fentrice DeNell Driskell (born March 3, 1979) is an American attorney andDemocratic Party politician currently serving as minority leader[1] and representing the 67th House district inHillsborough County in theFlorida House of Representatives. She was of counsel at the law firm of Carlton Fields.[2] Now, a Partner atSwope, Rodante P.A.
Driskell was born inWinter Haven, Florida to African-American parents.[3] Driskell earned her Bachelor of Arts fromHarvard University and her Juris Doctor from theGeorgetown University Law Center.[4] After law school, Driskell was a clerk for JudgeAnne C. Conway of theU.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Fentrice also was an intern for Judge Andrew J. Peck of theU.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.[5]
Driskell was elected in thegeneral election on November 6, 2018, winning 53 percent of the vote over 47 percent for incumbentRepublican candidateShawn Harrison.[6]
Driskell served as the Florida House Democratic Policy Chair for the 2020–2022 term.[7]
Driskell was unanimously elected as Leader of the Florida House Democratic Caucus for the 2024–2026 term. She was the first black woman to serve in this role.[8] In November 2024, Driskell was reconfirmed as Leader of the Florida House Democrats, making her the first House member elected to serve consecutive leadership terms since 1992.[9]
In April 2021, Driskell has supported bipartisan police reform efforts in the Florida House, notably advocating forHB 7051, which aimed to increase accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices. She has emphasized the importance of building trust between police and the communities they serve through meaningful legislative action.
In April 2022, Driskell argued that the bill to repeal theReedy Creek Improvement Act would impose tax burdens onOrange andOsceola counties in the "billions of dollars".[10]
On April 21, 2022, Driskell attempted to stage a sit-in demonstration to prevent a vote on proposed changes to the Florida congressional district maps that included dismantling of her district.[11] The attempted demonstration was unsuccessful in preventing the proposed redistricting.[12]
In February 2023, Driskell sponsoredHB 49, a bill establishing the Historic Cemeteries Program and Advisory Council within the Florida Department of State to support the identification, preservation, and maintenance of abandoned and historic cemeteries, particularly African American sites. The bill included a $1 million appropriation for research and grants, and passed all committee stops with strong bipartisan support.
In December 2024, Driskell has actively pushed for Medicaid expansion and the implementation of the Florida KidCare program, publicly urging Governor Ron DeSantis and state agencies to provide affordable health care to more children and families. She has written formalletters demanding action, criticized state delays as irresponsible, and called for dropping lawsuits that restrict continuous coverage for children, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable Floridians.
In March 2025, Driskell criticized proposals to eliminate property taxes in Florida, arguing that such measures would harm local communities by reducing funding for essential public services like schools, police, and fire departments. She contends that shifting the tax burden onto local governments would force cuts to vital services, highlighting her opposition to policies she views as detrimental to everyday Floridians.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)| Florida House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minority Leader of theFlorida House of Representatives 2022–present | Incumbent |
Statewide political officials ofFlorida | ||
|---|---|---|
| U.S. senators |  | |
| State government | ||
| Senate |
| |
| House |
| |
| Supreme Court (appointed) | ||
