Jennifer Canady will be the first female Florida Speaker of the House

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Rep. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, will be the first female Florida House Speaker.

Rep. Jessica Baker, R-Jacksonville, and Canady were the last two candidates vying to receive enough pledged votes for the position.

Baker informed members of her team Wednesday that she will not have enough votes. On the same day, Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, also announced he was putting his support behind Canady.

“I want to end any doubt or confusion on the issue and add some finality to the rumors that have persisted since the end of session,” Steele said. “I know our class can work together for the better of the state now that the Speakers race is over.”

Canady, who was elected in 2022, helped carry the six-week abortion ban that DeSantis signed into law April 13.

“This bill will provide much-needed services and supplies to support women and families who make the choice to carry a child leading to parenting or adoption,” Canady said. “We want to provide women in Florida the resources they need to make a real choice.”

Canady also carried a charter school funding related bill. She has a career as a fifth grade teacher and a director of the RISE Institute at Lakeland Christian School.

The Lakeland lawmaker will take the position, assuming she is reelected and Republicans are still in control of the House.