Andy Gardiner
| Andy Gardiner | |
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| President of the Florida Senate | |
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In office November 18, 2014 – November 8, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Don Gaetz |
| Succeeded by | Joe Negron |
| Florida Senate Majority Leader | |
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In office November 2010 – November 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Alex Díaz de la Portilla |
| Succeeded by | Lizbeth Benacquisto |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 13th district 9th (2008-2012) |
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In office November 4, 2008 – November 8, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Daniel Webster |
| Succeeded by | Linda Stewart |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 40th district |
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In office November 21, 2000 – November 18, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Sublette |
| Succeeded by | Eric Eisnaugle |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 23, 1969 Orlando, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Camille Gardiner |
| Children | Andrew, Jr. Joanna Lynn Kathryn Lucille |
| Alma mater | Stetson University (B.S.) |
| Religion | Methodism |
Andy Gardiner (born January 23, 1969) is a Republican politician who served as a member of the Florida Senate, representing the 9th District from 2008 to 2012, and the 13th District, which stretches from Orlando to Titusville, from 2012 to 2016. From 2014 to 2016, Gardiner served as the President of the Florida Senate. Prior to Gardiner's election to the Senate, he served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 40th District from 2000 to 2008.
Gardiner was born in Orlando, Florida, in 1969 and attended Stetson University, graduating with bachelor's degrees in political science and psychology in 1992. He worked as a legislative aide to State Representative Allen Trovillion, and helped to dispel rumors that Trovillion was not running for re-election in 1996. In 1997, he was selected to serve as President of the Apopka Chamber of Commerce, a position that he held until 2008, when he began working as the Vice-President of External Affairs and Community Relations at Orlando Health.
In 2000, incumbent State Representative Bill Sublette was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Gardiner ran to succeed him in the 40th District, which was based in western Orange County and included parts of downtown Orlando and Hunters Creek and Lake Buena Vista. He was opposed in the Republican primary by John Dowless, the former Executive Director of the Florida Christian Coalition; Geraldine Ferris, a dentist; and Michael Rudd, a surveyor and real-estate broker. The Orlando Sentinel endorsed Gardiner, praising his "depth of knowledge and experience" and stance on the issues. Gardiner ended up placing first in the primary, receiving 37% of the vote to Dowless's 29%, Ferris's 28%, and Rudd's 6%. However, because he did not receive a majority of the vote, a runoff election was held between Gardiner and Dowless. During the runoff campaign, Gardiner emphasized his "pro-business" ideology while Dowless won the support of the defeated primary candidates and thirty legislators, including Gardiner's former boss, Allen Trovillion. The Sentinel again endorsed Gardiner in the runoff, noting his "broader perspective" and ability "to see the big picture," while criticizing Dowless for lobbying for "an organization with a narrow, often-polarizing, perspective." Gardiner ended up defeating Dowless, winning 54% of the vote to Dowless's 46%, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Stuart Buchanan, the Democratic nominee and an attorney. In the general election, Gardiner campaigned on his support for expanding then-Governor Jeb Bush's school voucher plan, while Buchanan argued that the plan was anti-teacher. Ultimately, Gardiner defeated Buchanan to win his first term in the House, receiving 55% of the vote to Buchanan's 45%.
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