Senator gets elevated role

The Galvano family held a big celebration in Tallahassee late last month.

The occasion? State Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, was unanimously chosen as president-designate for the 2018-20 legislative term. Galvano, assuming he wins re-election for his seat, District 21, will take over for Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, at the end of the 2018 term. Galvano's wife, three children, parents, in-laws and other relatives and friends were among the attendees at a nomination ceremony held in the capital Oct. 24, according to Sunshine State News.

State Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, Senate president from 2004-06, nominated Galvano. State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, seconded the nomination. A lawyer, Galvano was first elected to the Senate in 2012, and served four terms in the House from 2002 to 2010. He helped draft the Seminole Compact, and has long been considered a state expert in gaming legislation — a topic expected to come up in the next legislative session.