Tampa State Rep. Fentrice Driskell. Image: Twitter/@FentriceForFL
Tampa State Rep. Fentrice Driskell has made history as the first Black woman elected to lead Florida’s House Democrats.
Driskell, who won Tampa’s District 63 in 2018, will lead state Democrats from 2024-2026, meaning she will have to be reelected next year. The Georgetown and Harvard graduate said she is honored to lead state Democrats and it shows the country is beginning to pay more attention to what Black women can do.
“I’m just so glad to get to be a part of that narrative and be a part of that story. And to have this chance to work for a brighter future for all Floridians,” Driskell said according to
Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, and Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, will be the next two leaders of Florida House Democrats.
The House Democratic caucus on Wednesday elected Alexander to serve as its leader for a two-year period starting after the 2022 elections. The caucus chose Driskell to serve as leader for the two-year period starting after the 2024 elections. Driskell will be the first Black woman to lead the caucus.
 The votes came after Rep. Ben Diamond, D-St. Petersburg, decided to run for Congress next year instead of seeking another term in the state House. Diamond had been slated to become House Democratic leader for the term starting in fall 2022.
House Democrats elect Ramon Alexander and Fentrice Driskell as future Leaders
Fentrice Driskell is making history.
Image via Florida House.
Driskell, an attorney, will be the first Black woman to lead the Caucus.
While in Tallahassee for the Special Session, the House Democratic Caucus made key leadership decisions Wednesday, one of which will make history.
Tampa Rep.
Fentrice Driskell was unanimously elected to lead House Democrats for the 2024-2026 term. Driskell, a lawyer, will be the first Black woman to lead the Caucus.
House Democrats also voted Rep.
Ramon Alexander to lead the Caucus in the absence of Rep.
Ben Diamond, who was slated to lead the lower chamber Democrats for the 2022-2023 term, but is leaving his state position to run for a congressional seat vacated by