Ben Albritton

Albritton was born in Lakeland and attended Florida Southern College,{{Cite web |title=Senator Albritton - The Florida Senate |url=https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s27?Tab=Personal |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=www.flsenate.gov}} where he received a degree in citrus in 1990. Following graduation, he joined his family's citrus grove company, working with his brother and his uncle. Albritton served on the Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association Board from 2002 to 2007, and in 2005, he was appointed to the Florida Citrus Commission by Governor Jeb Bush,{{Cite news |last=Vecerina |first=Michelle |date=5 Nov 2024 |title=Senate President-Designate Ben Albritton wins reelection to Senate District 27 seat |url=https://flvoicenews.com/senate-president-designate-ben-albritton-wins-reelection-to-senate-district-27-seat/ |access-date=19 Nov 2024 |work=Florida's Voice}} where he served until 2010 following reappointment by Governor Charlie Crist, including a tenure as chairman from 2007 to 2010. Additionally, Albritton served on the East Charlotte County Drainage District as a board member.

When incumbent State Representative Baxter Troutman was unable to seek re-election in 2010 due to term limits, Albritton ran to succeed him in the 66th District, which included Hardee County, southern Polk County, and northwestern Highlands County. He faced Chevon Baccus in the Republican primary, whom he significantly outraised,{{cite web|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/house-seats-66-70-least-three-new-members-headed-house|title=House Seats 66-70: At Least Three New Members Headed to the House|date=August 14, 2010|accessdate=December 17, 2013|work=Sunshine State News}} eventually defeating her with 79% of the vote. In the general election, he faced only a write-in opponent, whom he defeated with 99% of the vote. Following his election, Albritton indicated that he intended to run to be Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 2016-2018 session,{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20101220/NEWS/101229969/|title=Incoming Legislator Ben Albritton Has Eye on Climbing Ladder|date=December 20, 2010|accessdate=December 17, 2013|work=The Ledger|first=Bill|last=Rufty}} but he lost out to Richard Corcoran.{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/how-richard-corcoran-became-house-speaker/2036170|title=How Richard Corcoran became House Speaker|date=January 25, 2011|accessdate=December 17, 2013|work=Tampa Bay Times|first=Marc|last=Caputo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217225614/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/how-richard-corcoran-became-house-speaker/2036170|archive-date=December 17, 2013|url-status=dead}}

In 2012, when the state legislative districts were reconfigured, Albritton was moved to the 56th District, which included most of the territory that he represented in the 66th District. He faced no opposition in the primary or general elections and won his second term entirely uncontested. Albritton was re-elected to his third term in the legislature without opposition in 2014.

Albritton was elected to the Florida Senate in 2018.

In 2022 Albritton sponsored Senate Bill 2508,{{Cite web |title=SB 2508 (2022) - Environmental Resources {{!}} Florida House of Representatives |url=https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=76641&SessionId=93 |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.myfloridahouse.gov |language=en-US}} a controversial measure{{Cite web |last=Bayles |first=Tom |date=2022-03-16 |title=Much-maligned Everglades bill awaits governor's decision |url=https://news.wgcu.org/news/2022-03-16/much-maligned-everglades-bill-awaits-governors-decision |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=WGCU PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida |language=en}} which drew the ire of fishing guides and conservationists.{{Cite web |title=Ed Killer: Florida Senate needs to remember who it works for and show voters more respect |url=https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/florida/2022/02/16/florida-senate-appropriations-committee-belittles-clean-water-advocates-with-sb-2508/6753474001/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Treasure Coast |language=en-US}} Critics called it a last second "sneak attack" that sought to prioritize the supply of water from Lake Okeechobee for industrial sugarcane farmers over the health of the Everglades ecosystem.{{Cite web |last1=Sutton |first1=Scott |last2=Sczesny |first2=Matt |date=2022-02-10 |title=Florida Senate bill seeks to control Lake Okeechobee water, brings fierce opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis |url=https://www.wptv.com/news/protecting-paradise/florida-senate-bill-brings-fierce-opposition-from-gov-ron-desantis-environmental-groups |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm |language=en}} The measure, filed as a "budget conforming bill," was subject to only one public hearing;{{Cite web |title=Senate OKs amended water supply bill. Critics say last-minute changes aren't good enough |url=https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/indian-river-lagoon/2022/02/17/florida-senate-approves-amended-sb-2508-captain-clean-water-still-opposes-albritton-lake-o-releases/6783664001/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Treasure Coast |language=en-US}} though it was approved by the Florida Legislature, it was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Albritton is Senate President for the 2024-26 term.

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• [http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4508 Florida House of Representatives - Ben Albritton]

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Category:1968 births

Category:21st-century members of the Florida Legislature

Category:American citrus farmers

Category:Farmers from Florida

Category:Florida Southern College alumni

Category:Living people

Category:People from Lakeland, Florida

Category:Republican Party members of the Florida House of Representatives

Category:2024 United States presidential electors