Dennis Baxley
Dennis K. Baxley (born August 22, 1952) is a state legislator in Florida who has served in the Florida Senate since 2016. A Republican, he represents the 12th district including Sumter County and parts of Lake County and Marion County in Central Florida. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing parts of Marion County from 2000 to 2007 and again from 2010 until his election to the Senate. He served on the Belleview City Commission and as its mayor.
Dennis Baxley | |
|---|---|
| President pro tempore of the Florida Senate | |
| Assumed office November 22, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Aaron Bean |
| Member of the Florida Senate | |
| Assumed office November 8, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Constituency | 12th district (2016–2022) 13th district (2022–present) |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office November 2, 2010 – November 8, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Kurt Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Stan McClain |
| Constituency | 24th district (2010–2012) 23rd district (2012–2016) |
| In office November 7, 2000 – June 26, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | George Albright |
| Succeeded by | Kurt Kelly |
| Constituency | 24th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 22, 1952 Ocala, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Ginette Begín |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | College of Central Florida (AA) Florida State University (BA) Miami-Dade College (AS) |
Baxley has sponsored anti-LGBT legislation and stand your ground legislation, opposed a two-year moratorium on the sale of AR-15s, and delayed the Florida Slavery Memorial. He also opposes the removal of Confederate monuments and memorials. He was the sponsor of the failed Florida House Bill H-837, which would have allowed students to sue educators for not tolerating their views, and the successful Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits the discussion of gender identity in elementary schools.