Longtime Florida Sen. Darryl Rouson Won’t Seek House Seat, Joins New College
After 18 years in the Florida Legislature, Sen. Darryl Rouson chooses academia over another campaign, accepting a teaching role at New College.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Tampa Bay area Democratic state Sen. Darryl Rouson, the longest-serving member of the Florida Legislature, announced Tuesday that he will not run for the House District 62 seat this year and will instead step down after 18 years in office to take a position at New College of Florida.
Rouson, 70, served eight years as a member of the House of Representatives from 2008 to 2016, and from 2016 to 2026 in the Senate representing parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. He is term limited from his Senate District 16 seat this November and had previously indicated he was considering a run for the open House District 62 seat, which also encompasses parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
“I have heard the calls in recent months from many community members who have encouraged me to continue my service and seek election to the Florida House, with my time in the Senate coming to an end due to term limits. I am profoundly honored to have such confidence placed in me,” Rouson said in a statement.
New College Appointment
“However, after much prayer, thought, and reflection, I have decided that I will not seek election to the Florida House of Representatives,” Rouson added.
In addition to continuing his law practice, Rouson has been appointed presidential scholar and professor of trial litigation at New College in Sarasota. He will teach courses in trial advocacy and leadership in public life, according to a statement from the university.
Distinguished Career
Rouson is a personal injury attorney who became Pinellas County’s first Black assistant state attorney in 1981 before opening his own practice in 1983. He became president of the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP in 2000.
The senator has been open about his battles with drug and alcohol addiction for two decades before he began his path to recovery in 1998. Throughout his legislative career, he has championed various causes and achieved significant legislative victories.
His departure from the Legislature marks the end of an era for one of Florida’s most experienced lawmakers, whose career has spanned nearly two decades in both chambers of the state legislature.
