In her first session as a Florida legislator, Rep. Jennifer Canady, R-Lakeland, sponsored two of the session’s most significant bills, showing that she carried the trust of the Republican leadership.
Canady has now gained the support of her fellow freshman members. House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, announced Friday that Canady had been designated as House speaker for the term starting in 2028, assuming she is re-elected three more times and Republicans retain their decisive advantage in the Florida House.
“Congratulations to @jhcanady on her selection today by the 2022 class, putting her in line to serve as Speaker for the 2028-2030 term,” Renner wrote on Twitter. “I look forward to working with her and the freshman class as we prepare for another consequential session.”
Canady said Wednesday that the 30 freshman members of the House Republican caucus came to a consensus without needing to take a vote. The decision sets her up to become the state’s first female House speaker. Three women have served as Florida Senate president: Gwen Margolis, Toni Jennings and the current leader, Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples.
Barring unforeseen changes, Canady will become only the second Florida House speaker from Polk County. Perry E. Murray, a Democrat from Frostproof, held that role from 1949 to 1951. No other House Speakers from Polk County. Dean Cannon, a Lakeland High graduate, lived in Winter Park while serving as House Speaker from 2010 to 2012.
Polk County has produced at least four Florida Senate presidents: Park Trammell (1905), Herbert Drane (1913), N. Curtis Peterson Jr. (1983) and Bob Crawford (1989).
“I am grateful to have the trust of my classmates,” Canady said Wednesday. “I’m thankful for their willingness to allow me to serve in this way, and I look forward to the work that we’ll do together as a group to write the next chapter of Florida’s success story. And to have the opportunity to lead that, it’s really the honor of a lifetime.”
Canady is a Lakeland native who earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Florida State University and a master’s from the University of South Florida. She has taught at Lakeland Christian School for 18 years and directs the school’s RISE Institute, which encompasses research, innovation, STEM learning and entrepreneurship.
During this year’s session, Canady co-sponsored a House bill (HB 7) that barred abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, with limited exceptions for cases of rape, incest or medical emergencies.
But the law’s validity depends on a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court in a challenge to a 15-week abortion law enacted last year. Canady’s husband, Charles T. Canady, is one of the Supreme Court justices considering the case. A former chief justice, Barbara Pariente, has suggested that Canady recuse himself from the case because of his wife’s role in passing the six-week abortion ban.
Asked during last year’s campaign about potential conflicts because of her husband’s position, Jennifer Canady said she did not expect any problems.
Canady also sponsored a bill (HB 1259) that directs public school districts to share local property tax revenues with charter schools. The funds could be used for construction and maintenance of buildings. Some critics have warned that the law will siphon needed money from public schools.
“It is always gratifying to have the opportunity to do challenging work, and I certainly did have some bills that allowed me to demonstrate my ability to handle myself under difficult circumstances,” Canady said.
Always helps to have the last name “Canady”.