Chris Sprowls, the 33-year-old Palm Harbor attorney, easily defeated Democrat Bernie Fensterwald in November to win his second term in office, and he remains a strong contender to lead the House in the 2021-2022 Sessions, increasing his clout in the Capital.
In 2017, Sprowls and fellow Republican state Rep. Jamie Grant were the driving force behind the landmark ride-sharing legislation passed in the House. The law, recently signed by Gov. Rick Scott, creates statewide regulations for ride-booking companies like Uber and Lyft, which pre-empts local ordinances and rules on transportation network companies.
This year, Sprowls was also named the chair of the Tampa Bay Area Legislative Delegation, providing him yet another platform to demonstrate leadership in what is the region’s most important issue, transportation.
After seven years at the Pinellas-Pasco County State Attorney’s Office, Sprowls left for a role in the private sector last year, where he now focuses on business law with the law office of Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney.
This is Sprowls’ second time on the survey. He placed No. 14 in 2016.
Joe Henderson’s Take
“I might have even moved him up a place or two. Sprowls clearly is a man on the move in the House and his Pinellas district can only benefit. So can everyone else. Here is another rising star who not only sees the need for improved transportation in the Bay area, but has the forum and the drive to do something about it. My guess is that next year he will be in the top 5 in these rankings.”
For a complete explanation of how this list was created and who made up the panel that amassed it, please read here.
