When Rick Scott unceremoniously dumped Jennifer Carroll two years ago, speculation immediately surfaced that Dana Young would be a logical successor as Scott approached a re-election year.
That didn’t happen, of course, but this South Tampa-based Republican has skillfully worked her way through House Leadership since she took the open seat over Democrat Stacy Frank in 2010, the last time she’s had to sweat out an election.
Currently the reigning House majority leader, she now ranks as “one of the powers of the Florida House” in the words of Sunshine State News’ Jeff Henderson.
Young is praised by Tampa Bay area Republicans for spending plenty of time on the campaign trail, knocking on doors for the benefit of her fellow Republicans.
She’s embraced the craft beer renaissance in Tampa, wrapping their battle to repeal the ban on 64-ounce growlers in the classic conservative mantle of championing small businesses against excessive government regulation. Other top priorities in the upcoming session include working on implementing Amendment 1, and adoption of a long-term, comprehensive statewide water policy.
“Dana Young has a great future,” says former House colleague Mike Fasano. “She’s very well liked in the Tampa Bay area. I don’t know what her future plans are, but I hope she stays in the political world.”
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