Galvano Installed as Senate President Designate

TALLAHASSEE – Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) was sworn in as president-designate at a ceremony on Tuesday in Tallahassee. Provided Republicans hold their majority in the November 2018 general elections–likely, considering it currently stands at 24-16–the local attorney will lead the 40-member chamber for two years.

In a legislative career that has spanned 13 years in both the Florida House and Senate, Galvano rose to prominence as House Rules Committee chairman in 2009, when he lead the investigation into the ethical conduct of former House Speaker Ray Sansom, who ultimately resigned due to fallout from the scandal.

Galvano, 51, was later the point man on a gambling agreement with the Seminole Indian Tribe. Most recently, he led a Republican effort on higher-education. The Bill Galvano One Stop Center, which houses Turning Points, a non-profit serving the community's homeless, was named in honor of the work Galvano has done to secure funding for such missions.

Senator Galvano is the son of local golf legend Phil Galvano, who wrote best-selling books on the sport and is known as one of the pioneers of the pendulum putting technique, which became the standard in the sport. The Manatee Education Foundation's Phil Galvano Classic is named in his honor. The 22nd annual outing will be held in May. The event benefits the children and teachers of Manatee County Public Schools.

Galvano will be the second Senate President from Bradenton. He follows fellow Republican John McKay who held the post in 2001 and 2002.