Who is Kelli Stargel?

More about Senator Stargel

Senator Kelli Stargel was elected to the Florida Senate in November of 2012 after serving four years in the Florida House of Representatives. She currently works as the investment property manager for her family-owned small business in Lakeland.

Senator Stargel serves as the Senate Deputy Majority Leader. She is also the Chair of the Finance and Tax Committee and the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. She is a member of the Appropriations Committee, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, the Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee, and others.

Senator Stargel has received a number of awards from various organizations over her time in the Legislature. Some of the highest recognitions include several Agricultural related awards, such as, the Florida Farm Bureau 2018 Legislator of the Year and Champion for Agriculture, The Florida Fruit and Vegetable 2018 Legislator of the Year and the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association 2018 Legislator of the Year. In addition, she has received Associated Industries of Florida Champion for Business Award, the Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocate Award, the Foundation for Florida’s Future A+ Award, the Florida Realtors Legislative Champion Award, and the Florida Family Policy Council’s William Wilberforce Award. In addition, Senator Stargel is an appointee to the Education Commission of the States.

She and her husband, Circuit Judge John Stargel, have five children and two grandchildren.

Awards, Endorsements, & Recognitions

2018

Florida Farm Bureau Champion for Agriculture Award
Florida Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year
Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocate
FHCA Legislative Champion for the Elderly
Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida 2018 ICUF President’s ‘A’ Honor Roll
ABC FL Gulf Coast Endorsement
Florida Medical Association Endorsement
Florida Realtors Endorsement
Florida Right to Life Endorsement
Associated Industries of Florida Endorsement
Florida Police Benevolent Association Endorsement
Florida Health Care Association Champion for the Elderly
Americans for Prosperity A+
Florida Fruit & Vegetable – Legislator of the Year
Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Assoc. – Legislator of the Year
Foundation for Florida’s Future A+
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association – Legislator of the Year
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Endorsement

2017

AIF Champion for Business Award
Florida Realtors Legislative Champion
Florida Health Care Association Champion for the Elderly
Habitat for Humanity of Florida Housing Champion
Foundation for Florida’s Future Champion for Florida’s Students and Families
Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocate
Recognition by the Florida Wing of the U.S. Civil Air Patrol
Recognition by the Florida Fire Chiefs Association
Independent Colleges and Universities Recognition
Appointed to the Public Service Commission Nominating Council, (appointed Chair for January 1, 2018-November 6, 2018)
Appointed to the Board of Directors for Enterprise Florida
Florida Cultural Alliance Legislate Star Award for Arts & Culture
Children’s Home Society Legislator of the Year
FLVS Policy Maker of the Year – Award called “The Education Improvement Award”

2016

Family for LIFE Heart for LIFE Award
Florida Family Policy Council Champion of the Family
Florida Health Care Association Champion for the Elderly
Citrus Center Boys and Girls Club Legislative Champion Award
Independent Colleges and Universities Presidential Honor Roll
Florida Family Policy Council William Wilberforce Award
Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocate
Florida Chamber 2016 Honor Roll

FAMILY AND BIO

Occupation: Investment Property Manager

Husband: John

Children: Rebekah, Amanda, Robert, Hannah, Laura

Birthday: March 23

Fun Facts: My ancestors include Aaron Jernigan (FL House of Representatives, 1848) and James Lane (Sumter County Sheriff, 1897-1905).

LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

Elected to the Senate in 2012
House of Representatives, 2008 – 2012

OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE

Education Commission of the States, Commissioner
Served on the Commission on Marriage and Family Support Initiatives

AFFILIATIONS

Republican Woman’s Club of Lakeland, Past President
Heritage Baptist Church, Member

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This week in the Florida Senate:

• Senate education leaders announced key components of legislation the Senate will consider during the 2019 Legislative Session to expand educational choice and opportunity for families, elevate neighborhood public schools and improve safety and security for students and schools.

• We also announced plans to file legislation to create a new scholarship program, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, designed to serve our low income families and reduce the Florida Tax Scholarship waitlist.

• The Senate Republican Majority held a caucus meeting to prepare for the start of the 2019 Legislative Session.

• Appropriations Chair Bradley briefed members on this year’s budget outlook, highlighted the decisions made during the past several years that have positioned Florida’s budget outlook to be much better than many other states, and reinforced the Florida Senate’s commitment to funding Hurricane Michael recovery efforts.

• The Government Oversight and Accountability Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 426: Firefighters by Senator Anitere Flores. This bill expands financial coverage for firefighters diagnosed with cancer, and ensures beneficiaries are provided for in the event of death. Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters in the United States, as firefighters are regularly exposed to dangerous toxins while on the job.

• We also discussed ongoing efforts to implement recommendations of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission in the form of Senate Bill 7030. Additional legislation will address recommendations related to 911 Emergency Services, and duty to warn in threat situations (Senate Bill 7048), while the Senate’s education budget will include funding to support and sustain school district investments in school safety and security enhancements. … See MoreSee Less

5 hours ago

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