Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said Tuesday that he doesn’t expect an ongoing leadership battle between Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, to distract senators too much as the session goes forward. Both Gardiner and Latvala, who has often lead moderate pushback against the more conservative leadership of the Senate, are eyeing the chamber’s top spot when President-designate Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, finishes his term in late 2014. Haridopolos said the Senate frequently goes through similar battles. “I don’t see it affecting the bills that are important to the people of Florida,” he said. “I’m not going to speculate on the votes, other than my understanding is Senator Gardiner has a pretty solid lead, but Jack Latvala’s a very effective senator.” Haridopolos also said he hasn’t intervened in the battle.
Via The News Service of Florida.