FL House Democrats Elect New Leader After Ramon Alexander Not Running Due to Harassment Allegations

By Lydia Nusbaum

Published May. 24, 2022, 12:24 p.m. ET | Updated May. 24, 2022

May 24, 2022 Updated 12:17 P.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – The Democratic House caucus unanimously voted for Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, to be the next leader of the Florida House Democratic Caucus after the November election.

Driskell becomes the first Black woman to serve as House Democratic Leader.

“I’m excited and humbled to have earned the confidence of my colleagues. Together, we will fight to create the freedom for every Floridian to be healthy, prosperous, and safe,” Driskell said.

Proud of my friend! With an unshakable commitment to making life better for everyday Floridians, Leader @FentriceForFL has officially made history as the first Black woman elected to lead @FLHouseDems.
But Leader Driskell is remarkable far beyond simply being the ‘first’… pic.twitter.com/mTDvtTzFSf
— Lauren Book (@LeaderBookFL) May 24, 2022

Even when we disagree on policy, my door will always be open. I wish her the very best as she takes on this well-deserved new role. 3/3
— Paul Renner (@Paul_Renner) May 24, 2022

Rep. Ramon Alexander was previously the Leader Designate for the Florida House until he decided not to run for re-election after sexual harassment allegations surfaced against him in May. Alexander was accused of sexually harassing a former athletic official at Florida A&M University, according to an in-depth report from the Tallahassee Democrat.

At the time, Republicans called out the news outlet “Florida Politics” for not fully reporting on the sexual harassment allegations. Instead, publisher Peter Schorsch said the outlet would give Alexander “privacy.”