Candidate Profile: Florida House District 55: Darryl Rouson

Candidate Profile: Florida House of Representatives: Darryl Rouson

State House District 55  

Party Affiliation: Democrat (Incumbent)

Age: 56

Residence: St. Petersburg, FL.

Occupation: Attorney of Law, Morgan and Morgan PA

Education: Xavier University, New Orleans B.A. (1977) University of Florida, College of Law J.D. (1980)

Income: Not stated


As the first African-American assistant state attorney in Pinellas County, attorney Darryl Rouson has led a dedicated life to his work and community.

In 2003, Rouson was appointed the first chairman of the newly formed Substance Abuse and Addictions Task Force for The National Bar Association. Rouson has himself suffered from substance addiction, but has emerged as one of the area's most active supporters of addiction rehabilitation, as well as one of the bay area’s most successful businessmen, as voted by Tampa Bay Business Journal.  

Known as a trial lawyer, Rouson has counseled or co-counseled on large settlement personal injury, wrongful death and successfully defended criminal cases. Rouson has partnered and served as legal counsel on large real estate developments and also works in the areas of auto accidents, medical malpractice and wrongful death.

In 2006, he was instrumental in getting legislation to create a yearlong Drug Paraphernalia Abatement Task Force. As St. Petersburg Branch President of the NAACP (2000-2005), Rouson made headlines by demanding a fair share agreement for African-American and other minority contractors on the $41 million rebuilding of Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg.

In April 2008, Mr. Rouson’s years of activism, bold leadership and community service culminated in his being elected to represent Tampa Bay-area District 55 which covers portions of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties.

Rouson simultaneously served on the prestigious Statewide Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. He was also appointed to serve on the Transition Teams of Attorney General and current Governor Charlie Crist. In addition, Rouson has served on the Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee, the Government Accountability Act Council, the Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee, is a Legatus member, and is on the advisory board of the St. Petersburg Catholic High School.

Rouson has appeared as an analyst and consultant on CNN, Court TV, ESPN, FOX News, Rita Crosby Live & Direct and Kathy Crier Live TV. He has been a commentator on Bay area television programs including Fox 13 Your Turn with Kathy Fountain, Political Connections and Florida this week with Rob Lorei.

Rouson believes that the critical needs of Florida are affordable property insurance, lower property taxes, better schools, safer neighborhoods, and good health care for all Floridians.