Jack Latvala

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Jack Latvala

Republican Party

Prior offices

Florida State Senate District 19

* * *

Florida State Senate District 16

* * *

Florida State Senate District 20

* * *

Personal

Profession

Business owner

Contact

Personal website

## Contents

* 1 Biography
* 2 Committee assignments
* 2.1 2017 legislative session
* 2.2 2015 legislative session
* 2.3 2013-2014
* 2.4 2011-2012
* 3 Campaign themes
* 3.1 2010
* 4 Sponsored legislation
* 5 Elections
* 5.1 2016
* 5.2 2014
* 5.3 2012
* 5.4 2010
* 6 Campaign donors
* 6.1 2016
* 6.2 2014
* 6.3 2012
* 6.4 2010
* 6.5 2000
* 7 Scorecards
* 7.1 2017
* 7.2 2016
* 7.3 2015
* 7.4 2014
* 7.5 2013
* 8 Noteworthy events
* 8.1 Resignation following sexual misconduct allegations (2017)
* 9 Personal
* 10 See also
* 11 External links
* 12 Footnotes

Jack Latvala (b. November 3, 1951) is a former Republican member of the Florida State Senate, representing District 16 from 2016 to 2018. He previously served in the state House from 2010 to 2016 and from 1994 to 2002.

Latvala was removed from his position as chairman of the Appropriations Committee in November 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations. He later announced his resignation from the state Senate on December 20, 2017, effective January 5, 2018. To read more, click here. Latvala would have been ineligible to run for re-election in 2018 to the Florida State Senate because of term limits.[1]

## Biography[edit]

Latvala's professional experience includes operating a printing company in Largo.

## Committee assignments[edit]

### 2017 legislative session[edit]

Latvala was removed from his position as chairman of the Appropriations Committee in November 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations. To read more click here.

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees: Florida committee assignments, 2017

• Appropriations, Chair
• Commerce and Tourism
• Environmental Preservation and Conservation
• Rules
• Joint Legislative Budget Commission, Chair

### 2015 legislative session[edit]

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Latvala served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2015

• Appropriations
• Commerce and Tourism
• Governmental Oversight and Accountability
• Regulated Industries
• Rules

### 2013-2014[edit]

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Latvala served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2013

• Ethics and Elections, Chair
• Appropriations
• Community Affairs
• Environmental Preservation and Conservation
• Gaming
• Judiciary
• Rules

### 2011-2012[edit]

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Latvala served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2011

• Transportation, Chair
• Environmental Preservation and Conservation
• Governmental Oversight and Accountability
• Health Regulation
• Reapportionment
• Public Counsel Oversight

## Campaign themes[edit]

#### 2010[edit]

Latvala's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[2]

* "Creating a strong and resilient economy by reducing the burden of taxes on Florida’s business and families, improving Florida’s business climate to promote economic development, and reforming Florida’s welfare system."
* "Protecting citizens and businesses by cracking down on violent crimes and criminals."
* "Helping Florida’s consumers by enacting tough consumer protection laws and lowering the costs for healthcare and prescription drugs."
* "Championing efforts to protect Florida’s ecological treasures and safeguard the state’s environmental future."
* "Supporting excellence in education by meeting the needs of our school children. Sufficiently funding Florida’s public school system, enforcing accountability in education, and providing opportunities and resources to children and families who need additional support to succeed."

## Sponsored legislation[edit]

The following table lists bills sponsored by this legislator. Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills sponsored by this person, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

## Elections[edit]

### 2016[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.

Incumbent Jack Latvala ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 16 general election.[3][4]

Florida State Senate, District 16 General Election, 2016

Party | Candidate
| Republican |  Jack Latvala Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Florida Division of Elections

Incumbent Jack Latvala ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 16 Republican primary.[5][6]

Florida State Senate, District 16 Republican Primary, 2016

Party | Candidate
| Republican |  Jack Latvala Incumbent (unopposed)

### 2014[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Incumbent Jack Latvala defeated Zahid Roy in the Republican primary and defeated Tony Caso (L) in the general election.[7][8]

Florida State Senate, District 20 General Election, 2014

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Jack Latvala Incumbent | 71.6% | 120,277
| Libertarian  |  Tony Caso  | 28.4% | 47,652
Total Votes | 167,929
Florida State Senate, District 20 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Jack Latvala Incumbent | 87.2% | 31,836
Zahid Roy  | 12.8% | 4,672
Total Votes | 36,508

### 2012[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2012

Latvala won re-election in the 2012 election for Florida State Senate District 20. Latvala defeated Zahid Roy in the Republican primary on August 14, 2012 and defeated Ashley M. Rhodes-Courter (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[9][10]

Florida State Senate, District 20, General Election, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Jack Latvala Incumbent | 57.8% | 127,927
| Democratic  |  Ashley M. Rhodes-Courter  | 42.2% | 93,296
Total Votes | 221,223
Florida State Senate, District 20 Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Jack Latvala Incumbent | 85.7% | 33,147
Zahid Roy  | 14.3% | 5,517
Total Votes | 38,664

### 2010[edit]

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2010

Latvala did not have any opposition in the August 24 primary. He defeated Nina Hayden (D) in the November 2 general election.[11]

Florida State Senate, District 16
2010 General election results

Candidates  |  Votes  |  Percent
Jack Latvala (R)  |  83,396 |  63.98%
Nina Hayden (D)  |  46,942  |  36.02%

## Campaign donors[edit]

* * *

The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may not represent all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer, and campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

* * *

Jack Latvala campaign contribution history

Year | Office | Result | Contributions
2016 | Florida State Senate, District 16 |  | $545,899
2014 | Florida State Senate, District 20 |  | $455,422
2012 | Florida State Senate, District 20 |  | $604,840
2010 | Florida State Senate, District 16 |  | $813,427
2000 | Florida State Senate, District 19 |  | $398,523
Grand total raised | $2,818,111
Source: [[12] Follow the Money]

### 2016[edit]

Latvala won re-election to the Florida State Senate in 2016. During that election cycle, Latvala raised a total of $545,899.Florida State Senate 2016 election - campaign contributions

Top contributors to Jack Latvala's campaign in 2016
Walt Disney| $4,000
Florida Cable Telecommunications Association| $3,500
Florida Hospital Association| $3,000
Hospital Corp Of America| $3,000
Florida Health Care Association| $3,000
Total raised in 2016| $545,899
Source: Follow the Money

### 2014[edit]

Latvala won re-election to the Florida State Senate in 2014. During that election cycle, Latvala raised a total of $455,422.Florida State Senate 2014 election - Campaign Contributions

Top contributors to Jack Latvala's campaign in 2014
Florida Republican Party| $11,779
Southern Gardens Citrus Nursery| $4,000
Hospital Corp Of America| $3,500
Florida Police Benevolent Association| $3,500
Bright House Networks| $3,000
Total Raised in 2014| $455,422
Source: Follow the Money

### 2012[edit]

Latvala won re-election to the Florida State Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Latvala raised a total of $604,840.Florida State Senate 2012 election - campaign contributions

Top contributors to Jack Latvala's campaign in 2012
Florida Republican Party| $10,173
Florida Retail Federation| $6,500
Hospital Corp of America| $4,000
Florida Hospital Association| $3,000
Florida Cable Telecommunications Association| $2,500
Total raised in 2012| $604,840
Source: Follow the Money

### 2010[edit]

Latvala won election to the Florida State Senate in 2010. During that election cycle, Latvala raised a total of $813,427.Florida State Senate 2010 election - Campaign Contributions

Top contributors to Jack Latvala's campaign in 2010
Florida Chamber of Commerce| $4,000
Hospital Corp of America| $4,000
Florida Cable Telecommunications Association| $3,000
Florida Retail Federation| $3,000
Florida Hospital Association| $2,500
Total Raised in 2010| $813,427
Source: Follow the Money

### 2000[edit]

Latvala won re-election to the Florida State Senate in 2000. During that election cycle, Latvala raised a total of $398,523.Florida State Senate 2000 election - Campaign Contributions

Top contributors to Jack Latvala's campaign in 2000
Latvala, Jack & Susan| $10,949
Peoples Bank| $2,810
Stelnicki, James V & Gloria H| $2,000
Dunbar, Peter M & Susan B| $1,500
At&T| $1,500
Total Raised in 2000| $398,523
Source: Follow the Money

## Scorecards[edit]

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Florida

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

### 2017

In 2017, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 7 through May 8. There was also a special session from June 7 to June 9.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* First Amendment Foundation

Legislators are scored on their stance on public records access as it relates to Florida's "Sunshine Law"

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Health Care Association: House and Senate

Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 11.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Family Action

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues.

* Florida Health Care Association: House and Senate

Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues.

* Fund Education Now

Legislators are scored on whether the organization believes they are making an effort to provide “a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education.”

* Liberty First Network

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

* National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2015

| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1.

* Americans for Prosperity Florida

Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Health Care Association

Legislators are scored on their stances on issues related to healthcare.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2014

| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 5.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Health Care Association

Legislators are scored on their stances on issues related to healthcare.

* Florida Sheriff's Association

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to public safety and law enforcement officials.

* Let Florida Decide

Legislators are scored on their stances on marijuana.

* Liberty First Network

Legislators are scored on a group of bills that the organization supports or opposes.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

### 2013

| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.

* Associated Industries of Florida

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

* Florida Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

* Florida Sheriff's Association

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to public safety and law enforcement officials.

* Preserve our Paradise

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fracking.

* The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

## Noteworthy events[edit]

### Resignation following sexual misconduct allegations (2017)[edit]

See also: Sexual assault and harassment in American politics (2017-2018)

Latvala announced his resignation from the Florida State Senate on December 20, with his effective resignation date on January 5, 2018. In his resignation statement, Latvala denied the sexual misconduct allegations against him and said that he disapproved of the process used in his investigation.[13] State Senate President Joe Negron (R) ordered an investigation into claims of sexual harassment against Latvala on November 3, 2017. The claims came from a Politico report where six women affiliated with the state Capitol said Latvala had either touched them inappropriately or verbally harassed them.[14] Latvala denied the claims and said they were made to harm his 2018 gubernatorial bid.[15]

On November 29, Republican Senate staffer Rachel Perrin Rogers revealed that she had filed the confidential complaint accusing Latvala of sexual harassment and that she was one of the six women interviewed for the Nov. 3 Politico report. She said she revealed her identity because Latvala had already publicly suggested that she was one of his accusers. On November 19, Latvala apparently referred to Perrin Rogers in an interview when he said that one of his accusers had a husband who was a political consultant working for one of his gubernatorial opponents. At the time of the allegation, Perrin Rogers was married to Republican political consultant Brian Hughes. According to Politico, Hughes was not openly working for a gubernatorial campaign at the time Perrin Rogers revealed her identity.[16]

Also on December 5, state Sen. Lauren Book (D) filed a formal complaint alleging that Latvala broke Senate rules in his response to the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Specifically, Book alleged that Latvala broke two rules: conduct unbecoming of a senator and the use of undue influence. The complaint said, "We simply must stop the continued degradation of our institution and the destruction of the life of a woman who lawfully and rightfully filed her complaint."[17]

On December 19, an independent investigation by retired Judge Ronald Swanson suggested that criminal charges could be filed against Latvala for allegedly sexually harassing Perrin Rogers and asking a lobbyist for sexual favors in return for supporting her legislation. The report identified four findings of probable cause that involved seven incidents between 2013 and 2017 where Perrin Rogers was allegedly groped or subjected to inappropriate contact by Latvala. The unnamed former lobbyist was the seventh woman to come forward alleging that Latvala had engaged in sexual misconduct. She said that she and Latvala had had an intimate relationship since 1995, and, from 2015 to 2017, she was repeatedly groped by Latvala when she went into his office. She said her experiences with Latvala caused her to leave the lobbying profession.[18] Another independent report compiled by Gail Golman Holtzman was released on December 20. It contained testimony from women who said that Latvala attempted to touch them without their consent in exchange for legislative favors.

## Personal[edit]

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Latvala and his wife, Susan Richardson, have four children.

## See also[edit]

* Florida State Senate
* Senate Committees
* Florida State Legislature
* Florida state legislative districts

## External links[edit]

|  Suggest a link

|

* Search Google News for this topic

* Campaign website
* Profile from Open States
* Biography from Project Vote Smart
* Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
* Campaign Contributions: 2012, 2010
* Jack Latvala on Twitter

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Tampa Bay Times, "Jack Latvala resigns from the Florida Senate," December 20, 2017
2. ↑ Jack Latvala Campaign Website, "Issues," accessed April 24, 2014
3. ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate listing for 2016 general election," accessed September 12, 2016
4. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "November 8, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed November 23, 2016
5. ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidates and Races," accessed July 1, 2016
6. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "August 30, 2016 Official Election Results," accessed September 22, 2016
7. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2014 Florida Election Watch - Multi-County or District Offices," accessed September 3, 2014
8. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election," accessed June 23, 2014
9. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed April 15, 2012
10. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Official Primary Results," accessed December 18, 2014
11. ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "November 2, 2010, Election Results," November 2, 2010
12. ↑ followthemoney.org, "Latvala, Jack," accessed May 24, 2013
13. ↑ Miami-Herald, "State Sen. Jack Latvala quits in face of corruption investigation, possible expulsion," December 20, 2017
14. ↑ Politico, "Six women accuse Florida Senate budget chair Latvala of groping, sexual harassment," November 3, 2017
15. ↑ Politico, "Top Senate investigator recuses herself from probe of Latvala sex harassment case," November 4, 2017
16. ↑ Politico, "Senate staffer who accused Latvala of sexual harassment, groping goes public," November 29, 2017
17. ↑ Politico, "Book slaps Latvala with complaint for ‘scorched earth’ tactics against sexual harassment accuser," December 5, 2017
18. ↑ Politico, "Investigator recommends criminal probe of Latvala for sexual harassment, sexual ‘quid pro quo’," December 19, 2017

Political offices

Preceded by
Thad Altman (R) | Florida State Senate, District 16
2016-2018  |  Succeeded by
Ed Hooper (R)
Preceded by
Alan Hays (R) | Florida Senate District 20
2012–2016  |  Succeeded by
Tom Lee (R)
Preceded by
Charlie Justice | Florida Senate District 16
2010–2012  |  Succeeded by
Thad Altman
Preceded by
- | Florida Senate District 19
1994-2002  |  Succeeded by

[show]

Current members of the Florida State Senate

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Doug Broxson (R)

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