Senate committee confirms Cord Byrd as secretary of state

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Cord Byrd was confirmed as secretary of state by the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight Wednesday.

Secretary of State Cord Byrd was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as Florida’s 37th secretary of state in 2022.

Byrd shared in committee his accomplishments since being appointed to secretary of state and his goals moving forward.

Byrd said between being appointed in May of last year and the November 2022 election, he “made a point” to visit with all 67 county supervisors of elections.

“So I could confidently say to the voters of Florida that we have the best elections administration in the country,” Byrd said.

Byrd explained the Florida Department of State collects Florida’s important public records and preserves its historical and cultural heritage. He said they make Florida’s history accessible to the public through museums and historic sites.

He said the department “will create” a competitive business climate through their “business friendly corporate filing environment,” which he said through the support of the legislatures, they will “enhance” in the coming years.

According to Byrd, the department protects “our republic” through the oversight of “honest and accurate elections.”

“From elections to business filings, from libraries to culturally significant sites, and from the historic theater on Main Street to the main stage of the historic theater, the department of state is proud to be a part of what makes your community a community,” Byrd said.

As Florida secretary of state, Byrd serves as the state’s chief elections officer, chief arts and culture officer, chief protocol officer, and the head of the Florida Department of State.

Prior to becoming secretary of state, Byrd was elected to the Florida House of Representatives from the 11th district and was reelected in 2018 and 2020.

During his tenure in the Florida House, he served on the Public Integrity and Elections Committee, including two years as vice chairman, as well as chair of the state redistricting committee. He also served as vice chair of the Judiciary Committee.

In addition to his own elections, he participated in the elections process in 1998 as a poll watcher and was in Palm Beach County for the Bush vs. Gore election in 2000.

“I’ve seen firsthand how this legislature has been instrumental in helping Florida to become the gold standard in elections administration,” Byrd said. “I have a passion for Florida and ensuring that our state remains the best in the nation.”

Prior to attending law school, Byrd was a middle school civics and history teacher and he said he sees that as one of his “duties” as a legislator, lawyer, and as secretary of state to “help citizens better understand their government and the role they play in it.”

“My legal service, my legal experience, my time serving in the legislature, and my background in history, civics, the Constitution, and elections has prepared me well to serve as Florida Secretary of State,” Byrd said.

Byrd said he tells “everyone” he has the “best job in state government.”

“The Florida Department of State is one of the most unique and varied agencies in state government,” Byrd said. “The work we do touches everyone in the state of Florida, which is why our overarching mission is to improve the quality of life for all Floridians.”

Byrd said should he have the “great privilege to carry on serving” as secretary of state, he will “continue to uphold” the U.S. Constitution and laws.

“We are a nation and a state whose strength is built on our citizens’ rights and responsibilities that come from our Constitution and our laws,” Byrd said.

The motion to confirm Byrd as Florida’s Secretary of State was recommended favorably by everyone at the Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight Wednesday.