DeSantis gains new deputy legislative affairs director Mary Clare Futch

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive office has tapped Mary Clare Futch as its new deputy legislative affairs director.

Futch is taking on the role with prior experience as being the legislative and cabinet affairs director for the Florida Department of Commerce, along with past experience in the Florida Legislature as an aide for TECO Energy, and involvement in Florida TaxWatch.

DeSantis’ deputy legislative affairs director is responsible for overseeing legislative efforts, supporting the legislative affairs director and working with other branches of government.

Her hiring comes off the heels of the 2024 Legislative Session, as the governor continues to consider slews of legislation appearing on his desk passed over the past few months.

The next legislative session is in March 2025, but the governor and legislative leaders could orchestrate a special session before then.

Futch began working in the commerce department in 2022, where she prioritized legislation to bolster rural economic development, Florida’s defense and military industry, energy policy and more.

She obtained her education at the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and earned her Juris Masters Degree in Administrative Law and Government Relations from Florida State University.

While previously at TECO Energy, she assisted in the company’s government relations and helped track industry-relevant bills in the Florida Legislature.

Before that, she was a national affairs intern for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation in 2019.

The governor’s current legislative affairs director is Peter Cuderman.