Dennis Baxley
| Dennis K. Baxley | |
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| Member of the Florida Senate from the 12th district |
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Assumed office November 8, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 23rd district 24th (2000-2007, 2010-2012) |
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In office November 2, 2010 – November 8, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Kurt Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Stan McClain |
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In office November 7, 2000 – June 26, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | George Albright |
| Succeeded by | Kurt Kelly |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 22, 1952 Ocala, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Micheline |
| Children | Micah, Justin, Damon, Jeffrey, Renee |
| Alma mater |
Central Florida Community College (A.A.) Florida State University (B.S.) Miami-Dade Community College (A.S.) |
| Profession | Funeral home director |
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
Dennis K. Baxley (born August 22, 1952) is a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 12th district, which includes Sumter County and parts of Lake and Marion Counties in Central Florida, since 2016. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing parts of Marion County from 2000 to 2007 and again from 2010 until his election to the Senate.
Baxley was born in Ocala and attended Central Florida Community College, graduating with an associate degree in 1972. He then attended Florida State University, receiving degrees in sociology and psychology in 1974. Following this, Baxley attended Miami-Dade Community College, where he received a degree in funeral service in 1975. He returned to Ocala, where he founded Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services. Baxley was elected to the Belleview City Commission and later served as Mayor.
When incumbent State Representative George Albright, was unable to seek re-election in 2000 due to term limits, he ran to succeed him in the 24th District, which included central Marion County. He faced George Onett in the Republican primary, whom he defeated easily, winning 86% of the vote. In the general election, Baxley defeated Judy Johnson, the Democratic nominee, with 58% of the vote. When he ran for re-election in 2002, he encountered Lida Throckmorton, the Libertarian, whom he defeated in a landslide, with 77% of the vote. Baxley won re-election in 2004 without opposition. In 2006, he faced James Walker, an Iraq War veteran and the Democratic nominee, in his bid for re-election. During the course of the campaign, Walker was called back up for active service in Iraq, and considered exiting the campaign, but noted, "I think Marion County would be better off without Dennis Baxley." Baxley ended up defeating Walker by a wide margin, winning 56% of the vote to Walker's 44%.
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