Dennis Baxley

Dennis K. Baxley (born August 22, 1952) is a politician, serving in Florida Senate. A Republican, he has since 2016 represented the 12th district, which includes Sumter County and parts of Lake and Marion Counties in Central Florida. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing parts of Marion County from 2000 to 2007 and again from 2010 until his election to the Senate. He previously served in Florida House, as well as on the Belleview City Commission and as its mayor.

Dennis Baxley
Member of the Florida Senate from the 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office November 8, 2016
Preceded by	Redistricted
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
In office November 2, 2010 – November 8, 2016
Preceded by	Kurt Kelly
Succeeded by	Stan McClain
Constituency	24th district (2010–2012) 23rd district (2012–2016)
In office November 7, 2000 – June 26, 2007
Preceded by	George Albright
Succeeded by	Kurt Kelly
Constituency	24th district
Personal details
Born	August 22, 1952 Ocala, Florida
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Ginette Begín Baxley
Children	Micah, Justin, Damon, Jeffrey, Renee
Alma mater	Central Florida Community College (AA) Florida State University (BA) Miami-Dade Community College (AS)
Profession	Funeral home director

Baxley sponsored stand your ground legislation, opposed a two-year moratorium on the sale of AR-15s, delayed the Florida Slavery Memorial, and opposes the removal of Confederate monuments and memorials.

Early life

Baxley is a fifth-generation Floridian[1] He was born in Ocala and attended Central Florida Community College, graduating with an associate degree in 1972. He then attended Florida State University, receiving degrees in sociology and psychology in 1974. Following this, Baxley attended Miami-Dade Community College, where he received a degree in funeral service in 1975. He returned to Ocala, where he founded Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services.

Politics

Baxley was elected to the Belleview City Commission and later served as Mayor.

Florida House of Representatives

When incumbent State Representative George Albright, was unable to seek re-election in 2000 due to term limits, he ran to succeed him in the 24th District, which included central Marion County. He faced George Onett in the Republican primary, whom he defeated easily, winning 86% of the vote. In the general election, Baxley defeated Judy Johnson, the Democratic nominee, with 58% of the vote. When he ran for re-election in 2002, he encountered Lida Throckmorton, the Libertarian, whom he defeated in a landslide, with 77% of the vote. Baxley won re-election in 2004 without opposition. In 2006, he faced James Walker, an Iraq War veteran and the Democratic nominee, in his bid for re-election. During the course of the campaign, Walker was called back up for active service in Iraq, and considered exiting the campaign, but noted, "I think Marion County would be better off without Dennis Baxley."[2] Baxley ended up defeating Walker by a wide margin, winning 56% of the vote to Walker's 44%.

When State Senator Nancy Argenziano resigned from her seat to accept an appointment to the Florida Public Service Commission, a special election was called to replace her. Baxley and fellow State Representative Charles Dean announced that they would resign from their seats in the legislature on May 1, 2007, to run to succeed her.[3] Over the course of the campaign, Dean attacked Baxley for raising taxes, increasing insurance premiums, and allowing phone rates to skyrocket.[4] Baxley lost to Dean in the Republican primary, receiving 44% of the vote to Dean's 56%.

When Kurt Kelly, who replaced Baxley in the Florida House of Representatives in a 2007 special election, opted to run for the United States House of Representatives rather than seek re-election, Baxley ran to succeed him. He won the Republican primary unopposed, and faced Michael Hageloh, the Democratic nominee and a businessman. This was Hageloh's first run for political office and his campaign was overwhelmingly self-funded. Baxley campaigned on his experience and institutional knowledge, saying, "I believe in recycling, so I guess I'm the green candidate. I believe I can recycle some of the experience I've learned and go there and make a difference for Marion County."[5] Baxley defeated Hageloh in a landslide, winning 64% of the vote to Hageloh's 36%.

When legislative districts were redrawn in 2012, Baxley was moved into the 23rd District, which contained most of the district that he previously represented in the 24th District. He won both the primary and general elections unopposed. In 2014, Baxley was re-elected to the House without opposition.

While serving in the legislature, Baxley sponsored a stand-your-ground law that attracted attention in 2012 when George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin. Despite this, however, Baxley did not feel as though the legislation applied to the case, noting, "I still don't think it applies. Nothing in this statute authorizes 'pursuit, confront, provoke.'"[6]

Florida Senate

Baxley announced that he intended to run for the Florida Senate in 2016 to replace term-limited senator Charles Dean, who defeated him in 2007.[7] Baxley won his three-way Republican primary by just 633 votes. He faced no opposition in the general election.[8]

In 2019, Baxley sponsored legislation that would require public schools to teach skepticism about evolution and climate change.[9]

In May 2019, Baxley was reported to use the Replacement theory in relation to the abortion debate in the United States.[10] Speaking of Western Europe birthrates as a warning to Americans, he said; "When you get a birth rate less than 2 percent, that society is disappearing, and it’s being replaced by folks that come behind them and immigrate, don’t wish to assimilate into that society and they do believe in having children."[11]

Personal life

A devout Southern Baptist, he is a father of five including two adopted children.[1]

References

1. http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/meet-dennis-baxley-the-lawmaker-who-always-stands-his-ground/1226327
2. Latham Carr, Susan (September 2, 2006). "Marion County state representative candidate called for duty in Iraq". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
3. Follick, Joe (May 1, 2007). "Baxley, Dean resign seats". Star-Banner. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
4. Hiers, Fred (June 6, 2007). "Citrus County's Charles Dean wins GOP primary to replace Argenziano". Star-Banner. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
5. Alexander, Jackie (October 30, 2010). "Baxley wants another shot at State House seat, but newcomer Hageloh stands in the way". Star-Banner. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
6. Bousquet, Steve (April 21, 2012). "Meet Dennis Baxley, the lawmaker who always stands his ground". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
7. Henderson, Jeff (September 5, 2013). "Dennis Baxley Turns His Eyes to Running for Senate in 2016". Sunshine State News. Retrieved December 15, 2013.
8. Hiers, Fred (August 30, 2016). "Baxley narrowly edges O'Toole in state Senate race". Daily Commercial. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
9. Mahoney, Emily. "Florida bill would have students learn alternatives to climate change, evolution". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
10. "Confederate-Loving Florida Lawmaker Uses White-Supremacist Talking Point to Justify Abortion Ban". Miami New Times. 21 May 2019.
11. "'We Now Have A Lot To Look At': Florida Republican Says He's Encouraged By Alabama Abortion Law". WLRN-TV. 19 May 2019.

External links

• Florida House of Representatives - Dennis Baxley
• Florida Senate - Dennis Baxley
• Campaign Website
• Appearances on C-SPAN