Ben Albritton (born August 17, 1968) is a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

politician and a former member of the

Florida House of Representatives The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida, the Florida Senate being the upper house. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of Florida, adopt ...

, representing the 56th District, which includes DeSoto County, Hardee County, and southwestern Polk County, from 2012 to 2018. Albritton previously represented the 66th District from 2010 to 2012.

History

Albritton was born in Lakeland and attended

Florida Southern College Florida Southern College (Florida Southern, Southern or FSC) is a private college in Lakeland, Florida. In 2019, the student population at FSC consisted of 3,073 students along with 130 full-time faculty members. The college offers 50 undergradu ...

, 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 Governor

Jeb Bush John Ellis "Jeb" Bush (born February 11, 1953) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 43rd governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. Bush, who grew up in Houston, was the second son of former President George H. W. Bush ...

, where he served until 2010 following reappointment by Governor

Charlie Crist Charles Joseph Crist Jr. (; born July 24, 1956) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 44th governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011 and as the U.S. representative for from 2017 to 2022. Crist has been a member of the Democratic ...

, including a tenure as Chairman from 2007 to 2010. Additionally, Albritton served on the East Charlotte County Drainage District as a board member.

Florida House of Representatives

When incumbent

State Representative A state legislature is a legislative branch or body of a political subdivision in a federal system. Two federations literally use the term "state legislature": * The legislative branches of each of the fifty state governments of the United S ...

Baxter Troutman was unable to seek re-election in 2010 due to term limits, Albritton ran to succeed him in the 66th District, which included Hardee County, southern Polk County, and northwestern

Highlands County Highlands County is a county located in the Florida Heartland region of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 101,235. Its county seat is Sebring. Highlands County comprises the Sebring-Avon Park, FL Metropolita ...

. He faced Chevon Baccus in the

primary, whom he significantly outraised, 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 be

Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives The speaker is the Speaker (politics), presiding member of the Florida House of Representatives. The Speaker and his staff provide direction and coordination to employees throughout the House and serve the members in carrying out their constitution ...

for the 2016-2018 session, but he lost out to

Richard Corcoran Richard Corcoran (born March 16, 1965) is an American politician and former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. A Republican, Corcoran represented the 37th District, which includes central Pasco County, from 2012 to 2018, and previo ...

. 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.

Florida Senate

Albritton was elected to the

Florida Senate The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida, the Florida House of Representatives being the lower house. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of Florida, adopted in ...

in 2018. He voted yea for the controversial Senate Bill 86 in 2021.

References

External links

Florida House of Representatives - Ben Albritton
{{DEFAULTSORT:Albritton, Ben 1968 births Citrus farmers from Florida Living people People from Lakeland, Florida Florida Southern College alumni Republican Party members of the Florida House of Representatives 21st-century American politicians