Jack Latvala

Background

Latvala was born in Oxford, Mississippi, and moved to the state of Florida in 1961, where he later attended Stetson University.

Education

He graduated in 1973 and later became the CEO of GCI Printing Services, which is based in Largo.

Career

In 1994, Latvala ran for the from the 19th District, which included Pasco and Pinellas Counties as a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee Chuck Lehr in a landslide. Latvala was forced to retire in 2002 due to term limits. When incumbent Democratic State Senator Charlie Justice, who represented the 16th District, which consisted of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, declined to seek a second term so he could instead unsuccessfully challenge United States Congressman Bill Young.

Latvala ran to succeed Justice, and faced Pinellas County School Board member Nina Hayden in the general election, whom he was able to defeat comfortably. districts were reconfigured prior to the 2012 elections, and Latvala was redistricted to the 20th District, which was based exclusively in Pinellas County. The Tampa Bay Times endorsed Latvala for re-election, praising him as "the most powerful independent voice among the Republicans," citing several instances in which he vocally opposed his own party. In the end, Latvala defeated Rhodes-Courter by a solid margin, winning nearly 58% of the vote.

While serving in the Senate, Latvala strongly supported legislation that would give manufacturers a sales tax break for any equipment they purchased, declaring, "We're going to be able to bring back manufacturing in north Pinellas County" through the legislation. Controversially, he sponsored legislation that aimed to speed up the foreclosure process in Florida, with the purpose of clearing up the foreclosure backlog and benefiting the local economy. Latvala joined with Democrats in the Senate to vote against a proposal advocated for by the Florida House of Representatives that would prevent new state workers from joining the state's publicly funded pension program, noting, "One of the reasons they work for the government is not for the salary.

They haven't had raises in six or seven years. It's for the pension and if we want to continue to have the quality of employees that we have, we need to continue to offer that pension." Additionally, he joined with several other Senators, including Eleanor Sobel, to lead the opposition to Public Service Commissioner Lisa Edgar's renomination, asserting that "she does not do an adequate job of representing the ratepayers and consumers of the State of Florida," specifically calling attention to what he felt was her coziness with utility companies.

Achievements

• In 1996, he overwhelmingly won re-election over Sue Humphreys, and was re-elected without opposition in 2000.

Politics

Churches should be urged to demonstrate their heart for racial reconciliation by seeking to increase racial and ethnic diversity in church staff roles, leadership positions, and church membership.

Views

The word of God can be discovered only through the Bible.

Membership

Founding president North Pinellas (Florida) Republican Club. Member Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee. Active UPARC Foundation.

Member Pinellas Sports Authority,1987-1993, secretary, 1988-1990, vice chairman, 1990-1991. Vice chairman, chairman Palm Harbor Cmty. Superior vena cava syndrome Agency, 1985-1993.

Interests

• Avocation: fishing.

Connections

M. Susan Richardson; children: Stephanie, Colin, Evan, Christopher.

child:

Colin Latvala

child:

Evan Latvala

child:

Christopher Latvala

child:

Stephanie Latvala