Gaetz, Don

Senate · District 1
2024-2026

Republican Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa View original ↗

Personal & Career Legislative Service Elected to the Senate in 2024, prior Senate 2006-2016 Senate President 2012-2014 Other Public 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 Honors and Awards 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 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 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 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 Biographical Information Occupation: Retired healthcare executive Spouse: Victoria Quertermous of Fort Walton Beach, FL Children: Matt, Erin Grandchildren: Julia 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 Born: in Rugby, North Dakota. Moved to Florida in 1978. Historical: Matt Gaetz. son, former U.S. Congressman; Jerry Gaetz, father, former mayor and senator Religious Affiliation: Lutheran Recreation: Antiques, real estate, U.S. history