BY JIM TURNER (Edited)

©2025 The News Service of Florida. All rights reserved. 

TALLAHASSEE—Jim Boyd was formally selected Tuesday by Senate Republicans to become the next Senate president.

Boyd, who is the Senate majority leader, will succeed President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, after the November 2026 elections. 

During a ceremony in the Senate chamber, Boyd did not detail priorities but spoke of a need to “defend the taxpayer” and to “protect the rights of parents and strengthen our schools,” while saying lawmakers have to handle the challenge of growth’s effects on infrastructure, schools and health care.

“My vision is a Florida where every person has the chance to prosper. A Florida where families feel safe in their neighborhoods, where parents know their voices matter and where every child can pursue an education that prepares them for the future,” Boyd said.

In formally nominating Boyd on Tuesday, Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, described him as professional, serious and light-hearted.

“He embodies what Calvin Coolidge, a former Senate president himself said, when he said, ‘It takes a great man to be a good listener, an ability to listen, a diligent legislator and a good friend.’ Those are all the traits we need in a Senate president, and Jim Boyd embodies every one of them,” Burgess said.

Boyd, 68, served in the House from 2010 to 2018, before getting elected to the Senate in 2020.

“We congratulate Senator Jim Boyd on being selected as Florida’s next Senate President,” FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell said with enthusiasm. “This is a well-deserved recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication to the people of Florida. Throughout our 13 years of working together, Senator Boyd has proven time and again to be a true champion for the Florida Thoroughbred industry—not just in words, but in action. He has consistently backed the Thoroughbreds, including his unwavering opposition to decoupling even when the FTBOA stood alone at the industry war-front for all those many years.

“FTBOA was honored to recently present Senator Boyd with our 2025 Florida Thoroughbred Champions award, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership as he takes on this important new role,” Powell continued. “Senator Boyd doesn’t just talk Tallahassee—he walks it, and Florida is fortunate to have his principled leadership.”

Return to the October 15 issue of Wire to Wire