Chris Sprowls

Christopher Joseph Sprowls (born January 14, 1984) is a Republican politician from Florida. He serves as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 2020–22 legislative term and has represented the 65th District, which includes Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs in northern Pinellas County, since 2014.[1]

Chris Sprowls
102nd Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
Assumed office
November 17, 2020
Preceded byJosé R. Oliva
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 65th district
Assumed office
November 4, 2014
Preceded byCarl Zimmermann
Personal details
Born (1984-01-14) January 14, 1984
Newburgh, New York
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Shannon Long Sprowls
Alma materUniversity of South Florida (BA)
Stetson University (JD)
ProfessionAttorney

History

Sprowls was born in Newburgh, New York, and moved to the state of Florida in his childhood. During his time in high school, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, which he survived. After Sprowls graduated from high school Genesis Preparatory in 2002, he attended the University of South Florida, graduating with his bachelor's degree in 2006, and then the Stetson University College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 2009. He then served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which is located in Pasco County and Pinellas County. In 2013, Sprowls tried William Hurst, who was ultimately convicted[2] of murdering his wife thirty years prior and was put on trial after the body was found in 2011.[3] He then worked within the State Attorney's Office as a special prosecutor in the Gang Unit and as the Director of the Veterans Treatment Court.

Florida House of Representatives

In 2014, incumbent State Representative Carl Zimmermann, a Democrat, ran for re-election in the 65th District, so Sprowls ran against him. He faced fellow attorney Debbie Ann Faulkner in the Republican primary. The Tampa Tribune endorsed Sprowls over Faulkner, which noted that, though "both candidates bring intelligence and passion to the race," Sprowls "is the more polished candidate and appears ready to serve on day one if elected."[4] Sprowls ended up defeating Faulkner by a wide margin, winning 65% of the vote, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Zimmermann. He campaigned on his opposition to Medicaid expansion provided for under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,[5] his support for charter schools and accountability for them, and his pro-life positions.[6] Ultimately, owing to the tendency of the district to vote for Republican candidates,[7] Sprowls unseated Zimmermann, winning his first term in the legislature with 52% of the vote.

On September 17, 2019, Sprowls was chosen by his Republican colleagues to be the speaker of the Florida House for the 2020–2022 legislative term.[8] The full House formally elected him speaker on November 17, 2020, after the 2020 elections.[9]

References
  1. http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4609&LegislativeTermId=86
  2. Banovic, Julie (April 5, 2013). "Husband found guilty of wife's murder 30 years later". WXYZ-TV. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  3. Silman, Jon (April 2, 2013). "Three-decade-old murder case goes to trial". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  4. "Tribune endorsements: Sprowls, Sarnoff, Latvala, Young in House primary races". Tampa Tribune. July 26, 2014. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  5. Bradshaw, Kate (November 4, 2014). "Republicans outduel Democrats 6 to 2 in Pinellas legislative races". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  6. Krueger, Curtis (August 27, 2014). "Pinellas House candidates trade jabs one day after primary victories". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  7. Henderson, Jeff (October 23, 2014). "HD 65: Can Carl Zimmerman Overcome GOP District to Beat Chris Sprowls?". Sunshine State News. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  8. https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/palm-harbors-chris-sprowls-selected-new-florida-house-speaker
  9. Klas, Mary Ellen; Ceballos, Ana; Wilson, Kirby (2020-11-17). "Florida Legislature: Not our role to contain the coronavirus". Tampa Bay Times.
Florida House of Representatives
Preceded by
Carl Zimmermann		 Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 65th district
2014–present		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by
José R. Oliva		 Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
2020–present		 Incumbent
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