Haridopolos, who represents parts of Brevard, Indian River, Osceola and St. Lucie counties and is the youngest member of the Florida Republican caucus, became the first teacher to be sworn in as Senate President designee when the Republican caucus held its designation ceremony last week in the Senate chamber of the Florida Capitol.
Haridopolos is also a faculty member at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida. He is taking the helm in the Senate during one of the biggest economic recessions facing the state, with near-record unemployment and a stagnate population growth.
Nicknamed the Energizer Bunny for his non-stop work for the people of Florida, he is known by business as a facilitator and a job creator–someone who sees the need for government to promote job creation without unnecessary government obstacles.
Haridopolos also has a reputation of spending taxpayers’ money like he would his own: responsibly, carefully and conservatively.
The commencement will be at 2 p.m. ceremony on Dec. 18. It includes graduates from the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Graduate Studies, College of Health and Public Affairs, Office of Undergraduate Studies and Rosen College of Hospitality Management.