Legislator Profile
Florida Senator Don Gaetz (R)
District Address:
Fourth Floor
418 West Garden Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
(850) 595-1036
Capitol Address:
405 Senate Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5001
- 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
- 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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