Darryl Rouson

Darryl Rouson

Democratic Party

Florida State Senate District 16

Tenure

2022 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Ed Hooper

Prior offices

Florida House of Representatives District 70

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Florida State Senate District 19

Successor: Debbie Mayfield

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Compensation

Base salary

$29,697/year

Per diem

$175/day for a maximum of 60 days. Members can also receive per diem outside of the session.

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of Louisiana, 1977

Law

University of Florida, 1980

Personal

Birthplace

New Orleans, La.

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal website

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Personal TikTok

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Darryl Rouson (Democratic Party) is a member of the Florida State Senate, representing District 16. He assumed office on November 8, 2022. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.

Rouson (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Florida State Senate to represent District 16. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Rouson served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 70 from 2008 to 2016. Rouson served as the State House Minority Leader from February 2013 to September 2013.

In March 2017, Rouson was appointed to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, a 37-member commission that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution.

Biography

Darryl Rouson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rouson earned a B.A. from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1977 and a J.D. from the University of Florida in 1980. His career experience includes working as an attorney with Rubenstein Law Firm. Rouson served as the president of the St. Petersburg NAACP.

Florida Constitution Revision Commission

In March 2017, Rouson was appointed to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) by the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Richard Corcoran, a Republican.

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission is a 37-member commission provided for in the state constitution that reviews and proposes changes to the Florida Constitution. The CRC refers constitutional amendments directly to the ballot for a public vote. The commission convenes every 20 years. Members of the commission travel to different parts of Florida to perform research and receive public testimony before recommending these ballot measures.

The Constitution Revision Commission of 2017-2018 was composed of 37 members. Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, appointed 15 members of the CRC. President of the Florida Senate, Joe Negron (R), appointed nine members. Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Richard Corcoran (R) appointed nine members. Jorge Labarga, chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, appointed three members.

Committee assignments

2023-2024

Rouson was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture Committee
• Senate Appropriations Committee, Vice Chair
• Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee
• Ethics and Elections Committee, Vice Chair
• Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee
• Senate Rules Committee
• Joint Administrative Procedures Committee

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2021-2022

Rouson was assigned to the following committees:

• Agriculture Committee, Chair
• Senate Appropriations Committee
• Banking and Insurance Committee
• Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee
• Senate Judiciary Committee
• Regulated Industries Committee

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2019-2020

Rouson was assigned to the following committees:

• Health Policy Committee
• Senate Appropriations Committee
• Banking and Insurance Committee, Vice Chair

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2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2017
• Criminal Justice
• Governmental Oversight and Accountability
• Transportation, Vice chair

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Rouson served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2015
• Appropriations
• Regulatory Affairs

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Rouson served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2013
• State Affairs, Democratic Ranking Member
• Appropriations
• Regulatory Affairs

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Rouson served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2011
• Appropriations
• Legislative Budget Commission

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Rouson served on the following committees:

Florida committee assignments, 2009
• Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations, Democratic Ranking Member
• Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy

Issues

Campaign Committee Controversy

A divided House Democratic caucus voted to replace Rouson as the State House Minority Leader on September 23, 2013. Rouson lost the majority confidence of the caucus after forming a fundraising committee that only he could control a month earlier. Two staff members were fired as a result of the incident, referred to by the chairman of the Florida Republican Party as a "public civil war." In an interview with the Miami Herald, Rouson acknowledged that he should have informed more party members about the committee. Rouson said, "I maybe should have called in a few more members, that it might have been handled a little bit differently."

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Florida State Senate District 16

Incumbent Darryl Rouson defeated Christina Paylan in the general election for Florida State Senate District 16 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Darryl Rouson (D)	63.9	93,839
		Christina Paylan (R)	36.1	52,927

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 146,766
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Darryl Rouson advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 16.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Christina Paylan advanced from the Republican primary for Florida State Senate District 16.

2020

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Florida State Senate District 19

Incumbent Darryl Rouson defeated Christina Paylan in the general election for Florida State Senate District 19 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Darryl Rouson (D)	68.7	174,343
		Christina Paylan (No Party Affiliation)	31.3	79,463

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 253,806
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Darryl Rouson advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida State Senate District 19.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kriztofer Cole (R)
• Yolanda Valdez (R)

2016

See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 24, 2016.

Darryl Rouson defeated John Houman in the Florida State Senate District 19 general election.

Florida State Senate, District 19 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Darryl Rouson	66.91%	141,305
	Republican	John Houman	33.09%	69,875
Total Votes				211,180
Source: Florida Division of Elections

Darryl Rouson defeated Edwin Narain, Betty Reed and Augie Ribeiro in the Florida State Senate District 19 Democratic primary.

Florida State Senate, District 19 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Darryl Rouson	28.63%	10,814
	Democratic	Edwin Narain	28.43%	10,739
	Democratic	Betty Reed	22.08%	8,341
	Democratic	Augie Ribeiro	20.87%	7,882
Total Votes				37,776

John Houman ran unopposed in the Florida State Senate District 19 Republican primary.

Florida State Senate, District 19 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	John Houman  (unopposed)

2014

See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Florida House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Incumbent Darryl Rouson was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Justin M. Bauford (I) and Phillip Garrett (I) in the general election.

2012

See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2012

Rouson won election in the 2012 election for Florida House of Representatives District 68. Rouson defeated Frank Karkas in the Republican primary on August 14, 2012, and was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

2010

See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2010

Rouson ran for re-election to the 55th District seat in 2010. Rouson defeated Joseph Graser (write-in) in the general election on November 2, 2010.

Florida House of Representatives, District 55 2010 General election results
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Darryl Rouson (D)		24,160	99.83%
Joseph Graser (Write-in)		42	0.17%

Rouson defeated April Sheffield in the August 24 primary.

Florida House of Representatives, District 55 - Democratic Primary (2010)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Darryl Rouson		7,246	74.15%
April Daniel Sheffield		2,526	25.85%

2008

See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2008

On November 4, 2008, Rouson won re-election to the Florida House of Representatives from Florida's 55th District, defeating Calvester Benjamin-Anderson (write-in). Rouson received 42,552 votes in the election while Benjamin-Anderson received 526 votes. Rouson raised $85,462 for his campaign; Benjamin-Anderson raised $5,714.

Florida House of Representatives, District 55
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Darryl Rouson (D)		42,552	98.8%
Calvester Benjamin-Anderson (write-in)		526	1.2%

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Darryl Rouson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Darryl Rouson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2008

Rouson did not provide answers to the Florida State Legislative Election 2008 Political Courage Test. The test informs voters how a candidate would vote on the issues if elected.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Darryl Rouson campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Florida State Senate District 16	Won general	$187,655	$187,655
2020	Florida State Senate District 19	Won general	$360,909	N/A**
2016	Florida State Senate, District 19	Won	$288,371	N/A**
2014	Florida House of Representatives, District 70	Won	$107,029	N/A**
2012	Florida State House, District 70	Won	$49,756	N/A**
2010	Florida State House, District 55	Won	$111,986	N/A**
2008	Florida State House, District 55	Won	$85,462	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Florida

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 7 to May 5. Americans for Prosperity Florida Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Progress Florida and Florida Watch Legislators were scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more. The Institute for Legislative Analysis Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 14. Americans for Prosperity Florida Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Progress Florida and Florida Watch Legislators were scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 2 to April 30. Americans for Prosperity Florida Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Progress Florida and Florida Watch Legislators were scored based on their votes on health care, the economy, public schools, affordable housing, clean energy and water, reproductive rights, the freedom to vote and more. Sierra Club Florida Chapter Legislators are scored on votes on environmental bills. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 14 to March 19. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3. Americans for Prosperity Florida Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Foundation for Florida's Future: House and Senate Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to education. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 9 through March 11. Americans for Prosperity Florida Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Florida Health Care Association: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues. Foundation for Florida's Future: House and Senate Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills related to education. Liberty First Network Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 7 through May 8. There was also a special session from June 7 to June 9. Americans for Prosperity Florida Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. First Amendment Foundation Legislators are scored on their stance on public records access as it relates to Florida's "Sunshine Law" Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Florida Health Care Association: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 11. Americans for Prosperity Florida Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Florida Family Action Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues. Florida Health Care Association: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues. Fund Education Now Legislators are scored on whether the organization believes they are making an effort to provide “a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education.” Liberty First Network Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1. Americans for Prosperity Florida Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Florida Health Care Association Legislators are scored on their stances on issues related to healthcare. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 5. Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Florida Health Care Association Legislators are scored on their stances on issues related to healthcare. Florida Sheriff's Association Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to public safety and law enforcement officials. Let Florida Decide Legislators are scored on their stances on marijuana. Liberty First Network Legislators are scored on a group of bills that the organization supports or opposes. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3. Associated Industries of Florida Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Florida Sheriff's Association Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to public safety and law enforcement officials. Preserve our Paradise Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fracking. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Rouson served as President of the Saint Petersburg National Association for the Advancement for Colored People from 2000 to 2005.

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Candidate

Florida State Senate District 16

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Florida State Senate District 16

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Ed Hooper (R)	Florida State Senate District 16 2022-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Florida State Senate District 19 2016-2022	Succeeded by Debbie Mayfield (R)
Preceded by -	Florida House of Representatives District 70 2008-2016	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Florida State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Kathleen Passidomo

Majority Leader:Ben Albritton

Senators

District 1

Don Gaetz (R)

District 2

Jay Trumbull (R)

District 3

Corey Simon (R)

District 4

Clay Yarborough (R)

District 5

Tracie Davis (D)

District 6

Jennifer Bradley (R)

District 7

Tom Leek (R)

District 8

Tom Wright (R)

District 9

Stan McClain (R)

District 10

Jason Brodeur (R)

District 11

Blaise Ingoglia (R)

District 12

Colleen Burton (R)

District 13

Keith Truenow (R)

District 14

Jay Collins (R)

District 15

Geraldine Thompson (D)

District 16

Darryl Rouson (D)

District 17

Carlos Smith (D)

District 18

Nick DiCeglie (R)

District 19

Randy Fine (R)

District 20

Jim Boyd (R)

District 21

Ed Hooper (R)

District 22

Joe Gruters (R)

District 23

Daniel Burgess (R)

District 24

Mack Bernard (D)

District 25

Kristen Arrington (D)

District 26

Lori Berman (D)

District 27

Ben Albritton (R)

District 28

Kathleen Passidomo (R)

District 29

Erin Grall (R)

District 30

Tina Polsky (D)

District 31

Gayle Harrell (R)

District 32

Rosalind Osgood (D)

District 33

Jonathan Martin (R)

District 34

Shevrin Jones (D)

District 35

Barbara Sharief (D)

District 36

Ileana Garcia (R)

District 37

Jason Pizzo (D)

District 38

Alexis Calatayud (R)

District 39

Bryan Avila (R)

District 40

Ana Rodriguez (R)

Republican Party (28)

Democratic Party (12)