Darryl Rouson - Politics

Politics

In September 2005, Rouson joined the Republican Party. Though registered with no party affiliation, he had been long regarded as a closet Republican, and had been courted by such Republican leaders as then-Attorney General Charlie Crist, whom he supported for governor. {He had left the Democratic Party in 1999.) In February 2007, Governor Crist appointed Rouson to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission. The Commission meets every twenty years and is empowered to propose tax related changes to the State Constitution. In July 2007, he considered a run for State House District 55 as a Republican. Despite the district historically voting Democratic, Rouson was optimistic that his ties in Tallahassee and years of activism would give him the ability to win.

He again became a Democrat in 2007 to run in District 55 against two Democrats, City Council member Earnest Williams and activist Charles McKenzie, in the special primary leading up to the special election to replace Frank Peterman. Peterman had been appointed by Governor Crist to lead Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice.

In the special primary, Reverend Charles McKenzie, a coordinator for Rainbow/PUSH and educator, accused Rouson of being unfamiliar with the needs of residents of the southern part of District 55, in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Rouson denied this, saying residents of Newton and Sarasota had the same problems as people living in Midtown and St. Petersburg. Rouson was endorsed by Peterman, but some Democratic leaders had qualms. They questioned his dedication to Democratic ideals and ties to Republican Mayor Rick Baker and Governor Crist.

A special general election became necessary when a Republican, Calvester Benjamin-Anderson, entered the race as a write-in candidate. This closed the primary to non-Democrats, and the special election was scheduled for April 15, 2008. There had been a prior history between Benjamin-Anderson and Rouson. She had filed a sexual harassment and racial bias suit against Florida Power Corp., but the suit was dismissed by the court. She also filed a complaint against Rouson, alleging that he had charged her an excessive fee. This complaint was dismissed by the State Bar. Rouson defeated Williams and McKenzie in the special primary with 44% of the vote. He went on to defeat Benjamin-Anderson in April 2008, winning 93% of the vote.

While finishing Peterman's term, Rouson was one of three Pinellas representatives to support school vouchers (corporate-tax-credit scholarships), along with Bill Heller and Janet C. Long. Rouson was supported in the primary election by pro-school voucher group, All Children Matter. They praised his work in the Legislature, and they denied that his efforts as a member of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission were considerations. However, while on the Commission, he voted to place two amendments on the ballot that would allow religion based schools to receive taxpayer support.

McKenzie again opposed Rouson in the regular primary. He criticized Rouson's support of a proposed amendment to the State Constitution which he said would hurt public education. Rouson said he wanted to reduce taxes and felt the proposed amendment should go to referendum to let the voters decide. McKenzie claimed he looked forward to improving teachers salaries, making changes in FCAT and reworking Florida's system for delivering health care to children. Rouson emphasized the need for reducing property taxes, the need to create more affordable housing and the need to bring more jobs to the district. Rouson won the primary, receiving 65% of the 5,000 votes cast in District 55.

Rouson was one of three Pinellas Democrats endorsed by the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, along with Bill Heller of District 52 and Janet C. Long of District 51. He was one of three Pinellas candidates for the State House endorsed by Associated Industries of Florida, along with Bill Heller and Peter Nehr. He was recommended in the 2008 general election by the Sarasota Herald Tribune, again against write-in candidate Calvester Benjamin-Anderson. He won with 98% of the vote.

As of the 2013 Florida legislative session, he is the primary sponsor of Florida House Bill 49, which prohibits the retail sale of certain smoking devices, such as glass pipes, clay pipes, water pipes, and hookas. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=49236 It is currently being debated as of April 24, 2013.