Legislator Profile

Former Florida Senator Don Gaetz (D) (R)
The information below was accurate during the legislator's active term.
Don Gaetz (D)
CONTACT INFORMATION
District Address:
Suite 230
4300 Legendary Drive
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 897-5747

Capitol Address:
420 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5001
political profile
  • Senate District:1
  • First Elected:2006
  • Terms Out:2016
  • Party:Republican
  • Delegations:Bay,Holmes,Jackson,Okaloosa,Walton,Washington
  • District Information:Map
  • Legislative Service:Elected to the Senate in 2006, reelected subsequently
PERSONAL INFO
  • Born:January 22, 1948 in North Dakota
  • Moved to Florida:1978
  • Religious Affiliation:Lutheran
  • Education:Troy State University, M.P.A.
    Concordia College, B.A., Religion and Political Science
  • Occupation:Co-founder and Vice Chairman (retired) VITAS Healthcare Corporation
  • Spouse:Victoria Quertermous of Fort Walton Beach
  • Children:Matthew Louis, II; Erin Victoria
  • Affiliations:Okaloosa County Republican Club
    United States Capitol Historical Society
    James Madison Institute, Board of Directors
    Bob Hope Village, Air Force Enlisted Widows Foundation, Board of Directors
    Niceville-Valparaiso Youth Baseball, Board of Directors
    Okaloosa County Economic Development Council, Executive Board
    Bluewater Elementary School Advisory Council, Chairman
    The Cushman School, Board of Trustees, Chairman
    National Hospice Organization, Washington, DC, President and Chairman of the Board
    Florida Governor's Commission on Long-term Health Care, Chairman
    Florida State Hospice Organization, Founding Chairman
    Salvation Army, Board of Directors
    Gulf Coast Council of Boy Scouts of America, Board of Directors
    University of West Florida Presidential Selection Committee
    Niceville-Valparaiso-Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
    Okaloosa-Walton Workforce Development Board
    Capitol Hill Club, Washington DC
    National Press Club, Washington, DC
    Churchill Center Fellow, Washington, DC
    Air Force Association
    Theodore Roosevelt Association, Sagamore, NY
  • Highlights:American Medical Association, Most Outstanding State Senator in U.S.
    Florida Dental Association, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Cancer Society, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Medical Association, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Outstanding Senator of the Year
    American Association of Physician Specialists, Distinguished Service Award
    National Association of Workforce Boards, Most Outstanding Leadership in Career-Technical Education in U.S.
    Florida Hospices, Inc., Outstanding Legislator Award
    Florida Council on Aging, Most Outstanding Senator
    Florida Health Care Association, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Police Chiefs Association, Award of Merit
    Duke University, Donald J. Gaetz Endowed Professorship in Medicine and Religion
    Florida Trend Magazine, Florida's Education Trendsetter
    Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis Town Builder Award
    Leukemia Society of America, Person of the Year Award
    Workforce Florida, Champion of the Florida Workforce
    National Hospice Organization, Founders Award
    Concordia College, President's Award; Alumni Achievement Award; Soli Deo Gloria Award
    Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, Don Gaetz Take Stock in Children Scholarships
    Bridgeway Center, Community Leadership Award
    Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, Service to Children and Youth Award
    Okaloosa County Bands, Leadership in Music Education
    International Television and Film Festival of New York, Gold Medal Award
    Silver Sands Republican Women, Brass Elephant Award
    James Madison Institute, Chairman's Award
    Association for Retarded Children, Citizen of the Year Award
    National Rifle Association, Rough Rider Award
    Bluewater Elementary School, Parent Leadership Award
    National Debate Coaches Association, Life Membership Award
    Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, George Washington Honor Medal
    Florida Special Olympics, Humanitarian of the Year Award
    Commodore of the City of Green Bay, Admiral Flatley Park, Environmental Award
    Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout Award
  • Former Service:Okaloosa School Board, elected Superintendent, 2000-2006
    Okaloosa County School Board, Chairman, 1995-1996, Member, 1994-2000
    Seaside, Florida, Town Chairman, 1990-1991
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