Richard Corcoran

Born in Canada, Corcoran grew up in Pasco County, Florida, where his family moved when he was 11. His parents were both veterans of World War II. His father was an American soldier in the U.S. Army and his mother, a daughter of a British tea-planter, served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force of the Royal Air Force during the London Blitz.

After dropping out of the University of Florida,{{cite news |last1=Bousquet |first1=Steve |title=This political leader stormed Florida's capital and made a lot of people angry |url=https://www.bradenton.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article136669278.html |work=Bradenton Herald |date=March 6, 2017}} Corcoran graduated from St. Leo College in 1989. He attended Regent University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1996.{{cite web |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Richard_Corcoran_(Florida) |title=Richard Corcoran (Florida) - Ballotpedia |publisher=Ballotpedia |access-date=May 18, 2017}} While enrolled in college, he served six years in the United States Naval Reserve (1987–1993).{{Cite web |url=http://www.fldoe.org/about-us/commissioner-corcoran/ |title=Commissioner Richard Corcoran |date=October 16, 2020 |website=www.fldoe.org}}

Corcoran's first job after college was with Rep. John Renke of New Port Richey, who was poised to be Florida House minority leader before his defeat to Democrat Phil Mishkin in a race orchestrated by House speaker and future FSU president T. K. Wetherell.{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=John |title=Thrasher draws a strong challenger in Senate race |url=https://www.staugustine.com/article/20100925/NEWS/309259989 |work=The St. Augustine Record |date=September 25, 2010}} He then worked as a legislative aide for his friend Paul Hawkes, representative in the Florida House from 1990 to 1994.{{cite web |title=Ballotpedia |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Paul_Hawkes |access-date=May 8, 2021}} Corcoran ran the 1994 campaign that took Mike Fasano, later Majority leader and Senate President, to the Florida House for the first time. Between 1996 and 1998, he was deputy to Daniel Webster, the first Republican House speaker in a century.{{cite news |last1=Klas |first1=Mary Ellen |title=Corcoran has legislative reforms in mind when he leads Florida House |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article35031360.html#storylink=cpy%20 |work=Miami Herald |date=September 12, 2015}}

In 1998, Corcoran ran and lost his first House race to Nancy Argenziano.

Corcoran was admitted to the Florida Bar on September 21, 1999, three years after completing law school.{{cite web| title=Richard Michael Corcoran |url=https://www.floridabar.org/directories/find-mbr/profile/?num=173460 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |website=The Florida Bar}}

He worked as outside counsel for former House Speaker Tom Feeney in 2002.

In 2006, Corcoran worked for candidate Marco Rubio, where he was involved in writing and promoting Rubio's political tract 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida's Future. After that year's election, he became chief of staff to the new House Speaker. He resigned to prepare for a 2007 state Senate by-election but dropped out prior to the general election.{{cite news |last1=Klas |first1=Mary Ellen |title=Corcoran and Dean both say they're in if Argenziano leaves |url=https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2007/03/corcoran_and_de.html |work=Tampa Bay Times |issue=March 12, 2007}} Corcoran was hired by future governor Rick Scott to do legal work for Solantic.

When Corcoran was chief aide to Marco Rubio, his spending of Republican Party of Florida funds drew scrutiny{{cite news |last1=Frank |first1=John |title=Republican Party of Florida releases $7.3 million in American Express credit card spending records |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/From-the-archives-Republican-Party-of-Florida-releases-7-3-million-in-American-Express-credit-card-spending-records_163598616/ |work=St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald |date=May 2010}}{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Adam C. |title=Rubio's aide spent lavishly on party credit cards like his boss |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/From-the-archives-Rubio-s-aide-spent-lavishly-on-party-credit-cards-like-his-boss_163599487/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=March 2010}} and spending on flights, hotels, and restaurants from party funds in 2015 and 2016 also drew critics.{{cite news |last1=Caputo |first1=Marc |title=Future speaker bashes special interests, but spends big on their dime |url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2015/09/future-speaker-bashes-special-interests-but-spends-big-on-their-dime-025510 |work=Politico Florida |date=September 14, 2015}} Corcoran rejected suggestions that the spending (such as an $8,000 meal at The French Laundry in Napa Valley) was excessive.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Adam C. |last2=Zhang |first2=Eli |title=The Florida House Speaker who bashes special interests spends their money lavishly - and won't apologize |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2017/12/14/the-florida-house-speaker-who-criticized-wild-campaign-spending-is-now-doing-it-himself-and-wont-apologize/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=December 14, 2017}}

When incumbent state representative Tom Anderson was unable to seek re-election due to term limits in 2010, Corcoran ran to succeed him in the 45th District, which included parts of southern Pasco County and northern Pinellas County.

During his election, Corcoran secured promises from fellow Republican representatives to elect him speaker for the 2016–2018 legislative session. His leading rival for the position was fellow freshman representative Matt Gaetz. At the time, he released an 80-page reform manifesto entitled Blue Print Florida.{{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/2012-blue-print-florida-1 |title=Blue Print Florida |date=May 24, 2012 |via=Internet Archive}}

In 2011, he was hired as counsel at the Tampa offices of the law firm Broad and Cassel.{{cite news |last1=Bousquet |first1=Steve |title=Small world: Enterprise Florida and Richard Corcoran's law firm |url=https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2017/03/small-world-enterprise-florida-and-richard-corcorans-law-firm.html |work=Miami Herald |date=March 21, 2017}}

When the state legislative districts were redrawn in 2012, Corcoran was drawn into the 37th District, which included some of the areas in Pasco County that he represented in the 45th District. Corcoran faced a challenge from Strother Hammond in the Republican primary. He was endorsed for re-election by The Tampa Tribune.{{cite news |title=Fasano and Corcoran in Pasco races |url=http://www.tbo.com/list/news-opinion-editorials/fasano-and-corcoran-in-pasco-races-438774 |access-date=January 30, 2017 |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |date=July 23, 2012}} Corcoran defeated Hammond, gathering nearly 84% of the vote. Corcoran was subsequently re-elected without opposition in both 2014 and 2016.

During his time as representative, he led an effort to oppose Medicaid expansion. He criticized Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida.

Following his 2016 election, Corcoran became speaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 2016–2018 legislative session.{{cite news |last1=Moline |first1=Michael |title=Richard Corcoran installed as House speaker promising 'struggle' to do right |url=http://floridapolitics.com/archives/227711-house-organization |access-date=January 30, 2017 |publisher=Florida Politics |date=November 22, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Bousquet |first1=Steve |title=Corcoran calls Gov. Scott's $250M jobs fund 'corporate welfare' |url=http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2016/02/corcoran-calls-gov-scotts-250m-jobs-fund-corporate-welfare.html |access-date=January 30, 2017 |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=February 25, 2016}} Orlando Weekly wrote that as House leader, Corcoran had the "pugnacious manner and determination that have become his hallmarks."{{cite news |last1=Cordeiro |first1=Monivette |title=Richard Corcoran, who once called teachers union 'evil,' was just appointed Florida education commissioner |url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/12/17/richard-corcoran-who-once-called-teachers-union-evil-was-just-appointed-florida-education-commissioner |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217222245/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/12/17/richard-corcoran-who-once-called-teachers-union-evil-was-just-appointed-florida-education-commissioner |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2018 |work=Orlando Weekly |date=December 17, 2018}} In 2017, Senator Jack Latvala said, "I've been up there [at the Florida Legislature] 22 years, and he has flat picked more fights with more people than anybody I've ever seen before." In 2018, he described the Florida teachers' union as "disgusting", "repugnant", and "downright evil".{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Kristen M. |title=Wasting no time as House speaker, Corcoran attacks teachers union |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/wasting-no-time8us-house-speaker-corcoran-attacks-teachers-union/2303950/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=November 24, 2016}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In a 2017 profile recounting his shouting and cursing, Corcoran told a reporter, "I'm the most disruptive person."

In January 2018, Corcoran stated that between 2007 and 2018, he witnessed "probably less than ten" legislators engaging in sexual harassment and misconduct in the Florida legislature. Corcoran stated in the article, "I did report, I did talk to the legislators involved and it was resolved," Corcoran said, adding later that "to the extent that there was a violation, that violation needed to be addressed, and it was addressed. And the behavior was curbed." Corcoran stated that these incidents happened before he became speaker. When he became speaker, the House imposed stricter sexual harassment rules for its members in 2016. In the same article, it was reported that "Corcoran has been the most outspoken Republican in the Florida Capitol denouncing sexual misconduct, especially in the Florida Senate."{{cite news |last1=Fineout |first1=Gary |title=Florida House speaker says he saw misconduct by legislators |url=https://apnews.com/article/ca3a709e17ca4aa49d7931fd6fed4ec5 |work=Associated Press |date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2022}} Two months later, in March 2018, Corcoran called out the Florida Senate for endangering legislation to crack down on sexual harassment. "How does a chamber that was caught up in that much scandal not take up sexual harassment?" Corcoran told POLITICO, referring to two state senators who resigned after being accused of sexual misconduct. Corcoran was the first top GOP legislative leader to speak out last year{{when|date=January 2024}} over sexual harassment.{{cite news |last1=Glorioso |first1=Alexandra |title=Corcoran calls out Senate for endangering sexual harassment bill |url=https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2018/03/08/corcoran-calls-out-senate-for-endangering-sexual-harassment-bill-304591 |work=politico |date=March 8, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2023}}

In January 2018, Corcoran's PAC Watchdog USA began airing ads as he explored a run for governor.{{cite news |last1=Mahoney |first1=Emily L. |title=Video: Richard Corcoran's explosive ad warns anyone can get killed by undocumented immigrants |url=https://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2018/01/video-richard-corcorans-explosive-ad-warns-anyone-can-get-killed-by-undocumented-immigrants.html |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=January 29, 2018}} In April, before officially announcing a run, his candidacy was endorsed by Matt Gaetz.{{cite news |last1=Mahoney |first1=Emily L. |title=Congressman Matt Gaetz endorses Richard Corcoran for governor |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/04/04/congressman-matt-gaetz-endorses-richard-corcoran-for-governor/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=April 4, 2018}} Ultimately, Corcoran endorsed Adam Putnam in the race,{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/05/09/floridas-second-most-powerful-republican-just-passed-on-the-governors-race-and-endorsed-adam-putnam/ |title=Florida's second most powerful Republican just passed on the governor's race and endorsed Adam Putnam |first=Emily |last=Mahoney |date=May 9, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2022 |work=Tampa Bay Times}} which was won by Ron DeSantis.

On December 6, 2018, Governor-elect of Florida Ron DeSantis announced he would nominate Corcoran to be education commissioner. Corcoran was unanimously confirmed as education commissioner by the Florida Board of Education on December 17, 2018, and took office on January 8, 2019, upon the effectiveness of the resignation of his predecessor, Pam Stewart.{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/2018/12/17/richard-corcoran-unaminously-appointed-commissioner-of-education-2/ |title=Richard Corcoran unanimously appointed Commissioner of Education |date=December 17, 2018 |website=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=August 14, 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ocala.com/news/20181205/pam-stewart-stepping-down-as-state-education-commissioner |title=Pam Stewart stepping down as state education commissioner |newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner |date=December 5, 2018 |access-date=January 7, 2019}}

Corcoran was appointed by a unanimous vote of the Florida Board of Education, which is appointed by the governor. Democratic state representative Anna V. Eskamani criticized his appointment, saying that Corcoran had "no professional background in education."{{cite news |last1=Powers |first1=Scott |title=Anna Eskamani calls Richard Corcoran 'politically motivated and unqualified' to be education chief |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/283570-anna-eskamani-calls-richard-corcoran-political-motivated-and-unqualified-to-be-education-chief/ |work=Florida Politics |date=December 17, 2018}} Others pointed to potential conflicts of interest due to his wife's position as CEO of a charter school.{{cite news |last1=Rado |first1=Diane |title=FL Education Commissioner's wife connected to private Christian college chosen for state civics education review |url=https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2019/08/23/fl-education-commissioners-wife-connected-to-private-christian-college-chosen-for-state-civics-education-review/ |work=Florida Phoenix |date=August 23, 2019}} Anne Corcoran, who founded a classical liberal arts charter school because she believed in that model of education, was unpaid for her role.{{cite news |last1=Mahoney |first1=Emily |title=Florida lawmakers' wives on new charter school boards |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/03/29/more-than-a-talking-point-florida-lawmakers-spouses-on-new-charter-school-boards/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=March 29, 2018}} Corcoran dismissed previous allegations that her husband has a conflict of interest, saying her family likely loses money for the unpaid time she dedicates to her charter school.{{cite news |last1=Solochek |first1=Jeffrey |title=Incoming Speaker Corcoran says bill that would benefit his wife's charter is part of a larger reform |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/incoming-speaker-corcoran-says-bill-that-would-benefit-his-wifes-charter/2271194/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=May 29, 2016}}

Corcoran's tenure was characterized by contentious relations with a number of school districts and superintendents.{{cite news |last1=Hatter |first1=Lynn |title=Corcoran Blasts Duval Superintendent Over Failing Schools |url=https://news.wjct.org/post/corcoran-blasts-duval-superintendent-over-failing-schools |work=WJCT News |issue=May 22, 2019}}

Corcoran's management of school reopening during the Covid-19 pandemic has been a source of friction. On July 7, 2020, President Donald Trump tweeted "Schools must open in the fall", the same day that Corcoran ordered all public and private brick-and-mortar schools to reopen in August for at least five days per week and provide a "full-array" of services.{{cite news |last=Lardieri |first=Alexa |date=July 7, 2020 |title=Florida Orders Schools to Reopen in Fall Despite Rising Coronavirus Cases |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2020-07-07/florida-orders-schools-to-reopen-in-fall-despite-rising-coronavirus-cases |url-status=live |work=U.S. News & World Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708180139/https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2020-07-07/florida-orders-schools-to-reopen-in-fall-despite-rising-coronavirus-cases |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=July 11, 2020 }} On August 7, 2020, Corcoran delivered a letter that denied Hillsborough County School Board's request to open the school year exclusively online.{{cite news |last1=Solochek |first1=Jeffrey S. |last2=Sokol |first2=Marlene |title=Hillsborough's plan to keep schools closed hits state roadblock |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2020/08/07/hillsboroughs-plan-to-keep-schools-closed-hits-state-roadblock/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=August 7, 2020}} In April 2021, Corcoran wrote to school districts stating that there was no strong evidence that mask wearing slowed the spread of COVID-19 at schools.{{cite news |title=Florida education commissioner asks school superintendents to make face masks voluntary next year |url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/education/florida-education-commissioner-asks-school-superintendents-to-make-face-masks-voluntary-next-year-local/77-94061b18-0c2c-489c-a254-d4138cc3a78f |work=First Coast News |date=April 15, 2021}}

In March 2021, the Duval County school district removed a secondary school teacher from classroom teaching.{{cite news |last1=Bloch |first1=Emily |title=EVAC Movement leader removed from classroom for 'several matters' |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2021/03/25/evac-movement-teacher-removed-jacksonvilles-lee-high-after-refusing-remove-black-lives-matters-flag/6999517002/ |work=Florida Times-Union |issue=March 25, 2021}} While the district did not specify the cause of removal, a Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit alleged that the cause was Donfrio's posting of a Black Lives Matter flag and anti-racist content in her teaching.{{cite news |last1=Bloch |first1=Emily |title=SPLC sues Duval Schools on behalf of teacher removed for refusing to take down Black Lives Matter flag |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2021/04/16/splc-announces-lawsuit-against-duval-schools-behalf-amy-donofrio/7251846002/ |work=Florida Times-Union |issue=April 16, 2021}} Responding to questions following a speech at Hillsdale College in early May, Corcoran announced that it was he who made the decision to fire Donfrio: "We made sure she was terminated and now we're being sued by every one of the liberal left groups who say it's freedom of speech issue" and accused the teacher of having her "entire classroom memorialized to Black Lives Matter".{{cite news |last1=Bloch |first1=Emily |title=Florida education commissioner says he made sure teacher was fired; now her legal team's responding |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2021/05/17/florida-education-commissioner-richard-corcoran-says-fired-duval-county-teacher-supporting-blm/5134544001/ |work=Florida Times-Union |issue=May 17, 2021}}

In May 2021, Corcoran submitted an application to succeed John E. Thrasher as president of Florida State University, and the selection committee advanced him along with eight others for on campus interviews.{{cite news |last1=Dobson |first1=Byron |title=In their own words: Meet the 9 people hoping to be next Florida State University president |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2021/05/14/fsu-florida-state-university-president-applicants-candidates-in-their-own-words-john-thrasher/5057792001/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat |date=May 13, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Corcoran |first1=Richard |title=FSU Presidency application materials |url=https://presidentialsearch.fsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Richard-Corcoran.pdf |website=Florida State Presidential Search |access-date=May 17, 2021}} Media reports portrayed Corcoran as the inside candidate.{{cite news |last1=Burgess |first1=Brian |title=Insiders say FSU presidency is "greased" for Richard Corcoran. But are they talking to themselves? |url=https://thecapitolist.com/insiders-fsu-presidents-job-is-greased-for-richard-corcoran-but-are-they-talking-to-themselves/ |work=The Capitolist |date=May 13, 2021}} On May 13, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools addressed a letter of concern to the Florida Board of Governors describing a potential conflict of interest due to Corcoran's membership on the board that appointed the selection committee and would decide the appointment.{{cite news |last1=Dobson |first1=Byron |title=Conflict? Richard Corcoran wants to be FSU president. He's also on the hiring board |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2021/05/13/agency-head-concerned-richard-corcorans-bid-fsu-president/5083165001/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat |issue=May 13, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Divya |title=Richard Corcoran's path to FSU presidency hits a snag |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2021/05/14/richard-corcorans-path-to-fsus-presidency-hits-a-snag/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |issue=May 14, 2021}} Corcoran was not among the finalists named on May 15.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Divya |title=Richard Corcoran out of FSU presidential search; three academics move on |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2021/05/15/richard-corcoran-out-of-fsu-presidential-search-three-academics-move-forward/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |issue=May 16, 2021}}

In 2022, Corcoran came under scrutiny when the DOE was shown to be in talks with MGT Consulting, a firm led by Corcoran's longtime colleague Trey Traviesa, for some time before the bidding on a multimillion-dollar educational services contract was opened for a single week, a situation that appeared to allow the firm preferential access. Out of 25 firms sent a request for quotes, only MGT responded within the one-week deadline.{{cite news |last1=Mower |first1=Lawrence

|last2=Ceballos |first2=Ana |title=Florida officials tried to steer education contract to former lawmaker's company |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2022/01/11/florida-officials-tried-to-steer-education-contract-to-former-lawmakers-company/ |access-date=February 2, 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=January 11, 2022}} One week prior to the bidding being opened, Corcoran had hosted a closed-door meeting between Traviesa, Jefferson County school officials, and charter school lobbyist Ralph Arza.{{cite news |last1=Mower |first1=Lawrence

|last2=Ceballos |first2=Ana |title=Florida officials tried to steer education contract to former lawmaker's company |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article257339317.html |access-date=February 2, 2023 |work=Miami Herald |date=January 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115021937/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article257339317.html

|archive-date=January 15, 2022

}}

State investigators learned of the improprieties when a new company formed by two of Corcoran's deputies, Strategic Initiatives Partners, also applied for the Jefferson County contract on the final day of bidding. The DOE inspector general opened a probe as a conflict-of-interest investigation into Strategic Initiatives Partners and issued an inconclusive report.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-13 |title=Memorandum of Inquiry:File for Correspondence #2021-110061 |url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21185534-2021-110061-ig-closing-memo?responsive=1&title=1 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=documentcloud.org |language=en}} The two Strategic Initiatives principals working in Corcoran's department resigned, and Gov. DeSantis' office declared the matter closed.{{cite news |last1=Mueller |first1=Sarah |title=Jefferson gets its schools back following bid shenanigans and efforts to keep it with a charter operator |url=https://news.wfsu.org/wfsu-local-news/2022-01-18/jefferson-gets-its-schools-back-following-bid-shenanigans-and-efforts-to-keep-it-with-a-charter-operator |access-date=February 2, 2023 |work=WFSU |date=January 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613024543/https://news.wfsu.org/wfsu-local-news/2022-01-18/jefferson-gets-its-schools-back-following-bid-shenanigans-and-efforts-to-keep-it-with-a-charter-operator |archive-date=June 13, 2022 }} However, state Democratic lawmakers then requested that the U.S. Department of Education’s inspector general look further into the issue because the funds for the contract were allocated from federal COVID-19 relief funds.{{cite news |last1=Mower |first1=Lawrence

|last2=Ceballos |first2=Ana |title=DeSantis' inspector general is reviewing Florida education bid-rigging case |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/01/24/desantis-inspector-general-is-reviewing-florida-education-bid-rigging-case/ |access-date=February 2, 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110052246/https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/01/24/desantis-inspector-general-is-reviewing-florida-education-bid-rigging-case/

|archive-date=November 10, 2022

}}

On May 1, 2022, Corcoran stepped down as education commissioner.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-29 |title=Sen. Manny Diaz appointed as Florida education commissioner |url=https://news.wjct.org/state-news/2022-04-29/sen-manny-diaz-appointed-as-florida-education-commissioner |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=WJCT News |language=en}}

Corcoran is an advocate for charter school expansion and private school vouchers. His brother Michael Corcoran is a lobbyist for charter school management company, Accelerated Learning Solutions, and his wife Anne helped found a charter school for whom she acts as CEO.{{cite web |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article207320264.html |author=Emily L. Mahoney |title=These legislators back charter schools. Their wives are charter school board members.|website=Miami Herald |date=March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330020534/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article207320264.html |archive-date=March 30, 2018 }}

While speaker of the House, Corcoran criticized a Florida Education Association lawsuit and described teachers unions as "literally trying to destroy the lives of 100,000 children. Most of them are minorities, and all of them are poor. ... It is downright evil."{{cite news |last1=Larrabee |first1=Brandon |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20161125/pause-to-give-thanks-at-legislature |title=A pause to give thanks at the Legislature |work=News Service of Florida |date=November 25, 2016}}

In 2017, Corcoran passed his Schools of Hope bill, which funds new charter schools to open near public schools reporting weak results in standardized assessments.{{Cite web |title=CS/HB 7069 - Education |url=https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=59539&SessionId=83 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603040651/https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=59539&SessionId=83 |archive-date=June 3, 2017 |access-date=May 24, 2021 |website=www.myfloridahouse.gov}} In the 2018 legislative session, he passed his Hope Scholarships bill, which funds private school vouchers for bullied public school students.{{Cite web |title=CS/CS/HB 1 (2018) - The Hope Scholarship Program |url=https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=60412 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508220446/https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=60412 |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=May 24, 2021 |website=www.myfloridahouse.gov}}

During the run-up to the 2018 Florida gubernatorial campaign, Corcoran's Watchdog USA PAC ran an ad targeting so-called sanctuary cities. During the 2018 legislative session, he backed HP9,[https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=59819&SessionId=86 HB9] which pre-empted local policies about non-cooperation with ICE.

On January 6, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed six new members to the board of the New College of Florida.{{cite news |last1=Stripling |first1=Jack |title=Will a small, quirky Florida college become "DeSantis U"? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/01/23/new-college-florida-desantis-conservatives/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=January 23, 2023}} At its first meeting, on January 31, 2023, the new board fired President Patricia Okker, who had only held the position for 19 months, and installed Corcoran as its interim president.{{cite news |last1=Solocheck |first1=Jeffrey S. |title=Former education commissioner Richard Corcoran to lead New College |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/01/31/former-education-commissioner-richard-corcoran-lead-new-college/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=February 1, 2023}} He was paid a base salary of $699,000, which is $400,000 more than his predecessor made.{{cite news |last1=Moody |first1=Josh |title=College to Pay Interim President $400K More Than Predecessor |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2023/02/14/college-pay-interim-president-400k-more-predecessor |access-date=March 1, 2023 |work=Inside Higher Ed |date=February 14, 2023 |language=en}}

At the time the interim appointment was announced, Corcoran was still registered as a lobbyist for educational concerns, including Charter Schools USA, Polk County Public Schools, and the University of Miami, among three dozen clients whose relationship he had reaffirmed earlier that month.{{cite news |last1=Solocheck |first1=Jeffrey S. |title=Former education commissioner Richard Corcoran to lead New College |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/01/31/former-education-commissioner-richard-corcoran-lead-new-college/ |access-date=February 10, 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=February 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202135243/https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/01/31/former-education-commissioner-richard-corcoran-lead-new-college/ |archive-date=February 2, 2023 }}

In August 2023, two days after the New College presidential search committee named Corcoran one of three finalists for the full-time position, news broke that a federal grand jury had begun investigating the Jefferson County bid-rigging scandal.{{cite news |last1=Llanos |first1=Jackie |title=Richard Corcoran among three finalists for New College of Florida presidency |url=https://www.islandernews.com/news/education/richard-corcoran-among-three-finalists-for-new-college-of-florida-presidency/article_11346e0e-3159-11ee-a96b-bf13d6779073.html |access-date=5 August 2023 |work=Islander News |publisher=Islander Media Group |date=2 August 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Mower |first1=Lawrence |last2=Ceballos |first2=Ana |title=Grand jury investigating bid-rigging involving DeSantis' education department |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/08/04/desantis-florida-education-corcoran-jefferson-investigation/ |access-date=5 August 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=4 August 2023}} The federal probe showed that state officials tasked with investigating the scandal had never interviewed anyone involved in it and never pulled records concerning the case.{{cite news |last1=Mower |first1=Lawrence |title=DeSantis' office pledged to investigate bid-rigging case. It didn't get far. |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/09/27/desantis-inspector-general-jefferson-county-schools-contract-mgt-corcoran/ |access-date=27 September 2023 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=27 September 2023}}

In October 2023, after being the New College of Florida's interim president for nine months, Corcoran was named the school's president.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Divya |date=October 3, 2023 |title=New College chooses a familiar face as next president: Richard Corcoran |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/10/03/new-college-chooses-familiar-face-next-president-richard-corcoran/ |access-date=17 January 2024 |work=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}

Corcoran resides in Land o' Lakes, Florida. His wife, Anne Corcoran, is active in the Barney Charter School Initiative affiliated with Hillsdale College.{{cite news |last1=Davidson-Hiers |first1=CD |title=Principal of Tallahassee Classical — Leon County's new charter school — explains vision |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2020/02/18/principal-tallahassee-classical-leon-countys-new-charter-school-explains-vision/2831812001/ |work=Tallahassee Democrat |date=February 18, 2020}} They have six children, who were homeschooled and then attended Classical Prep in Spring Hill, Florida, which Anne Corcoran founded and where she acted as CEO.{{cite news |last1=Solochek |first1=Jeffrey S. |title=Incoming speaker Corcoran says bill that would benefit his wife's charter school is part of broader reform |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/incoming-speaker-corcoran-says-bill-that-would-benefit-his-wifes-charter/2271194/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=March 29, 2016}} She is a lawyer with Nelson Mullins in Tallahassee.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nelsonmullins.com/idea_exchange/news/press_releases/anne-corcoran-joins-nelson-mullins-in-tallahassee |title=Nelson Mullins - Anne Corcoran Joins Nelson Mullins in Tallahassee |first=Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough |last=LLP |website=Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP}}

Richard Corcoran's brother is Michael Corcoran, a leading political and corporate lobbyist in Tallahassee and Tampa.{{cite news |last1=Mower |first1=Lawrence |title=Ashley Moody names man who lobbied for opioid industry to inaugural committee |url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/11/27/attorney-general-elect-ashley-moody-names-top-lobbyist-to-inaugural-committee/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=November 27, 2018}} His sister Jacqueline is a former Washington, D.C., political operative and current lobbyist with Corcoran Partners.{{cite news |last1=Schorsch |first1=Peter |title=Personnel note: Jacqueline Corcoran joins Corcoran Partners |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/313840-personnel-note-jacqueline-corcoran-joins-corcoran-partners/ |work=Florida Politics |date=December 18, 2019}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.ncf.edu/departments/office-of-the-president/ Biography at the New College of Florida]
• [http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4503 Florida House of Representatives - Richard Corcoran]

{{s-start}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Steve Crisafulli}}

{{s-ttl|title=Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives|years=2016–2018}}

{{s-aft|after=José R. Oliva}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Pam Stewart}}

{{s-ttl|title=Education Commissioner of Florida|years=2019–2022}}

{{s-aft|after=Manny Díaz Jr.}}

{{s-end}}

{{Speakers of the Florida House of Representatives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Corcoran, Richard}}

Category:1965 births

Category:21st-century members of the Florida Legislature

Category:Living people

Category:People from Land o' Lakes, Florida

Category:Politicians from Toronto

Category:Regent University School of Law alumni

Category:Republican Party members of the Florida House of Representatives

Category:Saint Leo University alumni

Category:Speakers of the Florida House of Representatives