Ben Albritton | |
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| President of the Florida Senate | |
| Assumed office November 19, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Kathleen Passidomo |
| Majority Leader of the Florida Senate | |
| In office November 14, 2022 – November 19, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Debbie Mayfield |
| Succeeded by | Jim Boyd |
| Member of theFlorida Senate from the27th district | |
| Assumed office November 8, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Ray Rodrigues |
| Member of theFlorida Senate from the26th district | |
| In office November 6, 2018 – November 8, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Denise Grimsley |
| Succeeded by | Lori Berman |
| Member of theFlorida House of Representatives from the 56th district | |
| In office November 6, 2012 – November 6, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Rachel Burgin |
| Succeeded by | Melony Bell |
| Member of theFlorida House of Representatives from the 66th district | |
| In office November 2, 2010 – November 6, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Baxter Troutman |
| Succeeded by | Larry Ahern |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1968-08-17)August 17, 1968 (age 57) Lakeland, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Missy Schrader |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Florida Southern College (BS) |
Ben Albritton (born August 17, 1968) is aRepublican politician, current member of theFlorida Senate and a former member of theFlorida House of Representatives, representing the 56th District, which includesDeSoto County,Hardee County, and southwesternPolk County, from 2012 to 2018. Albritton previously represented the 66th District from 2010 to 2012.
Albritton was born inLakeland and attendedFlorida 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 GovernorJeb Bush,[2] where he served until 2010 following reappointment by GovernorCharlie Crist, including a tenure as chairman from 2007 to 2010. Additionally, Albritton served on the East Charlotte County Drainage District as a board member.
When incumbentState RepresentativeBaxter Troutman was unable to seek re-election in 2010 due to term limits, Albritton ran to succeed him in the 66th District, which includedHardee County, southernPolk County, and northwesternHighlands County. He faced Chevon Baccus in theRepublican 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 beSpeaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 2016-2018 session,[4] but he lost out toRichard 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.
Albritton was elected to theFlorida 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 is Senate President for the 2024-26 term.
| Florida House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theFlorida House of Representatives from the 66th district 2010–2012 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theFlorida House of Representatives from the 56th district 2012–2018 | Succeeded by |
| Florida Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theFlorida Senate from the 26th district 2018–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theFlorida Senate from the27th district 2022–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Majority Leader of the Florida Senate 2022–2024 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | President of the Florida Senate 2024–present | Incumbent |
Members of theFlorida Senate | ||
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