U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns has been chosen as the leader of Florida’s Republican delegation in the new, GOP-led House of Representatives, the congressman’s office announced Wednesday.
The Ocala Republican was unanimously selected for the job by his fellow Sunshine State GOP reps, his spokesman said.
It is the first time in Stearns’ 22-year tenure on Capitol Hill that he has held this post.
As chairman of the Florida panel, Stearns will head a group of 19 GOP lawmakers, which is tied with California’s Republican contingent as his party’s second-largest state delegation. Only Texas has more Republican lawmakers in the House.
Florida’s seven new congressional Republicans also constitute the largest class of new House freshmen, according to Stearns’ office.
“The Florida delegation is the nation’s fourth largest and with seven freshmen members, the delegation will have great influence,” Stearns observed in a prepared statement.
“We share a commitment to advancing the interests of Florida and the people we represent, and I look forward to working with the State’s delegation on our priorities.”
It’s possible Stearns could be the leader for all congressional Floridians.
Stearns’ Republican charges will sit down with the state’s six Democratic members during the first week of the new session in January to elect the chairman of the entire 25-member delegation.
Stearns, the statement said, pledged to lead the House members of Florida in a bipartisan way on addressing issues important to the state, especially on the economy and creating jobs.