The First Openly Gay Legislator In The History Of Florida
David Richardson, a 55-year-old forensic accountant and political newcomer, says he’s comfortable having made Florida history on election night.
“I am the first openly gay legislator in the history of Florida. And forever will be,” said Richardson, who on Tuesday defeated three other candidates to represent state House District 113 in Miami Beach.
Richardson grew up in Orlando, earned biology and accounting undergraduate degrees at the University of Central Florida and a Master in Business Administration at the University of Tampa. After starting as a $10,000-a-year Pentagon auditor in Tampa, he joined what is now Ernst & Young. In 1993, he started his own CPA practice. Business brought him to Miami Beach in 1995 and he became a permanent resident in 2001.
“I often thought about getting involved in state government or helping some way. I decided this race would go to a newcomer and it was possible for me with my background to win,” he said. “I’m a completely American dream story.”
His father was a cab driver and factory worker; his mother worked in a meat-packing plant.
Now, Richardson says he is comfortable enough to invest in startup companies and work as an expert witness when he feels like it.
“I intend to dedicate the significant portion of my time to being a Florida state legislator,” he said.
Richardson, who won 33 percent of 9,458 votes cast in the Democratic primary, defeated Waldo Faura Jr., an insurance adjuster and activist; Adam Kravitz, an attorney and entrepreneur who co-founded the popular Jewish dating website JDate.com; and Mark Weithorn, husband of Miami Beach City Commissioner Deede Weithorn. There is no Republican challenger for the seat. Read More
