Legislator Profile

Florida Senator Don Gaetz (R)
Don Gaetz
CONTACT INFORMATION
District Address:
Rooms 404-406, Pensacola State College Downtown Center
418 W. Garden Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 595-1036

Capitol Address:
405 Senate Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5001
Email:
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
political profile
  • Senate District:1
  • First Elected:
  • Terms Out:2032
  • Party:Republican
  • Delegations:Escambia,Okaloosa,Santa Rosa
  • District Information:
  • Legislative Service:Elected to the Senate in 2024, prior Senate 2006-2016
    Senate President 2012-2014
PERSONAL INFO
  • Born:January 22 in Rugby, North Dakota. Moved to Florida in 1978.
  • Moved to Florida:1978
  • Religious Affiliation:Lutheran
  • Education:Concordia College, B.S., Religion and Political Science, 1971 Student Body President National Speech and Debate Champion Alumnus of the Year Soli Deo Gloria Award Troy State University, Master of Public Administration, 1999 Alumnus of the Year
  • Occupation:Retired healthcare executive
  • Spouse:Victoria Quertermous of Fort Walton Beach
  • Children:Matt, Erin
  • Grandchildren:Julia
  • Affiliations: International Churchill Society, Fellow
    Irish Politicians Club
    Capitol Hill Club, Washington, DC
    National Press Club, Washington, DC
    Churchill Center, Washington, DC
    Theodore Roosevelt Assn, Sagamore, NY
    C-400 Club, Moorhead, MN
  • Highlights: National Council of State Legislatures/Americans for the Arts, Preeminent U.S. Legislator in Public Leadership in the Arts
    International Television and Film Festival of New York, Gold Medal Award
    National Association of Workforce Boards, Nation's Legislative Leader in Career-Technical Education
    American Medical Association, Most Outstanding Senator
    American Association of Physician Specialists, Distinguished Service Award
    Duke University, Donald J. Gaetz Professorship in Religion and Medicine
    Flagler College, Honorary Doctor of Laws
    Concordia College, President's Award; Alumni Achievement Award; Soli Deo Gloria Award
    Leukemia Society of America, Person of the Year
    National Debate Coaches Association, Life Achievement Award
    National Hospice Organization, Founders Award, Architect of Hospice Award
    Grey2K USA, National Greyhound Leadership Award
    Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, George Washington Honor Medal
    National Rifle Association, Rough Rider Award
    Florida National Guard, Congressman C.W. Bill Young Award
    Army JROTC, Sword of Leadership
    ARC of Florida, Hero Award, Citizen of the Year Award
    Florida Special Olympics, Humanitarian of the Year Award
    Florida Council on Aging, Champion of the Elderly
    Florida Dental Association, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Medical Association, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Cancer Society, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Outstanding Senator of the Year
    Florida Hospices, Inc., Outstanding Legislator Award
    Florida Health Care Association, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Police Chiefs Association, Award of Merit
    Florida Prosecutors Association, Legislator of the Year
    Florida Trend Magazine, Florida's Education Trendsetter
    Workforce Florida, Champion of the Florida Workforce, Lt. Governor Toni Jennings Award
    Florida Guardian ad Litem Association, Guardian of Florida's Children, Honorary Guardian ad Litem
    Florida Association of Child Advocacy Centers, Legislator of the Year
    Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, Extraordinary Service to Children and Youth Award
    Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis Town Builder Award
    Commodore of the City of Green Bay, Admiral Flatley Park, Environmental and Historic Preservation Award
  • Former Service: Florida Ethics Commissioner, 2021-2023
    Triumph Gulf Coast, Chairman, 2018-2023
    Constitution Revision Commission, 2017-2018
    Okaloosa School Board, elected Superintendent, 2000-2006
    Okaloosa School Board, Chairman, 1995-1996, Member, 1994-2000
    Seaside, Florida, Town Chairman, 1990-1991
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