Fentrice Driskell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office November 22, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Evan Jenne |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office November 6, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Shawn Harrison |
| Constituency | 63rd district (2018–2022) 67th district (2022–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 3, 1979 Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Georgetown University (JD) |
| Website | State House website |
Fentrice DeNell Driskell (born March 3, 1979) is an American attorney and Democratic Party politician currently serving as minority leader[1] and representing the 67th House district in Hillsborough County in the Florida House of Representatives. She was previously of counsel at the law firm of Carlton Fields,[2] and is presently a partner at Swope, Rodante P.A.
Early life, education, and career
Driskell was born in Winter Haven, Florida to African-American parents.[3] Driskell earned her Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and her Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center.[4] After law school, Driskell was a clerk for Judge Anne C. Conway of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Fentrice also was an intern for Andrew J. Peck, magistrate judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.[5]
Political career
Election
Driskell was elected in the general election on November 6, 2018, winning 53 percent of the vote over 47 percent for incumbent Republican candidate Shawn Harrison.[6]
House Democratic Policy Chair
Driskell served as the Florida House Democratic Policy Chair for the 2020–2022 term.[7]
House Democratic Caucus Leader
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]
Political positions
In April 2021, Driskell supported bipartisan police reform efforts in the Florida House, notably advocating for HB 7051, which aimed to increase accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices.
In April 2022, Driskell argued that the bill to repeal the Reedy Creek Improvement Act would impose tax burdens on Orange and Osceola 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 sponsored HB 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 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 formal letters 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.[citation needed]
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 Floridians.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Fentrice Driskell - 2022 - 2024 ( Speaker Renner )".
- ^ "Profile". Carlton Fields. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ "Florida State Rep. Fentrice Driskell - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ^ "Florida State Rep. Fentrice Driskell - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ^ "Fentrice D. Driskell". Carlton Fields. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
- ^ "Florida Election Results - Election Results 2018 - The New York Times". The New York Times. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
- ^ "MyFloridaHouse.gov - Fentrice Driskell".
- ^ "House Democrats elect Ramon Alexander and Fentrice Driskell as future Leaders". Florida Politics. May 19, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
- ^ Scheckner, Jesse (November 17, 2024). "Florida Democrats to reconfirm Fentrice Driskell as their House leader". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Yang, Maya (April 21, 2022). "Disney to lose special tax status for opposing Florida's 'don't say gay' bill". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
- ^ Gaudiano, Kimberly Leonard, Nicole. "Florida House Republicans compare a Democratic protest against redistricting to the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol". Business Insider. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Florida approves DeSantis-backed congressional maps that dismantle Black lawmaker's seat". POLITICO. April 21, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- 1979 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century members of the Florida Legislature
- Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives
- Georgetown University Law Center alumni
- Harvard College alumni
- People from Winter Haven, Florida
- Women state legislators in Florida
