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Randy Fine

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Randy Fine
Member of the Florida Senate
from the 19th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 5, 2024
Preceded byDebbie Mayfield
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
In office
November 8, 2016 – November 5, 2024
Preceded byJohn Tobia
Succeeded byMonique Miller
Constituency53rd district (2016–2022)
33rd district (2022–2024)
Personal details
Born
Randall Adam Fine

(1974-04-20) April 20, 1974 (age 50)
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseWendy Fine
Children2
EducationHarvard University (AB, MBA)

Randy Fine (born April 20, 1974) is an American Republican politician, activist, and former gambling industry executive currently serving in the Florida Senate for the 19th district since 2024. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016–2024.[1] His district covers southern Brevard County.

Fine is a candidate in the 2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election.[a][2]

Early life and career

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Fine was born in a Jewish family[3] in Tucson, Arizona.[1] Fine's father, H. Alan Fine, a graduate of MIT, was a professor of engineering at University of Kentucky.[4][5] Fine was raised in Lexington, Kentucky, graduating from Henry Clay High School in 1992.[6] He spent his 11th grade year in high school as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives.[7] During the summers of 1991 and 1992, he was an assistant for Robert Dornan.[8][9]

Fine is a graduate of Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in government and an MBA.[10][11]

Before entering politics, Fine worked as an executive for casino gambling companies such as Harrah's Entertainment and American Casino & Entertainment Properties.[12] For nearly ten years, he operated a Nevada-based consulting business for the casino industry, called the Fine Point Group.[10][12] In 2009, he was the chief executive of the Greektown Casino in Detroit.[12] In 2015, Fine explored a US Senate bid.[13]

Florida Legislature

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Florida House of Representatives

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Elections

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Fine has won four elections in Florida's 53rd and 33rd House of Representatives districts. In 2016, Fine and David Kearns (Democrat) competed for the seat being vacated by John Tobia, who vacated the spot due to term limits.[14] In 2018 and 2020 Fine was the incumbent, and he was challenged by Democrat Phil Moore in both elections.[15][16] Following redistricting, Fine ran in the 33rd district in 2022, defeating Democrat Anthony Yantz.[17]

Tenure

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Fine and Governor Ron DeSantis at Florida A&M University, 2020

In the state house, Fine advocated for protecting the environment of the Indian River Lagoon from sewage spills, and for opposing what he saw as wasteful, lower-priority spending.[18] Fine introduced a bill in the House to provide up to $50 million per year in matching funds to upgrade sewage treatment facilities in the area of the marsh. The legislation also increased the fines for illegal sewage discharges.[19] Despite his crusade against sewage spills, in 2019 he voted for HB 829 [20] which made it illegal for local communities to ban the spreading of biosolids (dried sewage) on farmlands that drain into the St. John's River and The Indian River Lagoon.[21][22] The practice of spreading dried human feces as fertilizer on farms around the St. John's River has been linked to toxic algae blooms affecting Melbourne's drinking water supply.[23][24]

The editorial board of local newspaper Florida Today has criticized Fine's personal style. Their joint editorial observed that "Fine is obviously a hard working lawmaker who has used his watchdog skills to do good" but said that "Fine should defend what he believes in, but not by launching tirades against others as crusades on behalf of his constituents. He can look good without trying to make others look bad with personal attacks."[25] There are multiple cases of Fine using "threats to pull or withhold state funding...to strike back at political rivals and retaliate over perceived slights."[26] These include the Brevard Zoo (2023), a Palm Bay Magnet High School firefighter academy (2022), and the West Melbourne Special Olympics (2021).[27] In April 2023, the Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause he violated ethics rules by threatening to withhold state funding over a personal dispute and interfering in a council member's request for public records.[28] In October 2024, Judge Blaue held Fine in contempt of court for making obscene gestures during his hearing over an election paperwork dispute.[29] Fine was ordered to take a 8-hour anger management course[29]

Reedy Creek Improvement District

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In 2022, Fine sponsored a bill that would dissolve any independent special district in Florida established prior to November 5, 1968, including the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). The bill passed both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida State Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on April 22, 2022.[30] Many political commentators said that the potential dissolution was in retaliation for the Walt Disney Company announcing its opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay Bill" by its critics, that passed several weeks prior. In an interview, Fine said that research into the RCID and other special districts started "When Disney kicked the hornet's nest several weeks ago."[31] When the potential impact on taxes in the surrounding counties of Orange and Osceola was being discussed, Fine claimed, without providing evidence, that the taxpayers would save money, and the tax revenue would instead go to local governments. Neither county is part of Fine's district.[32]

Florida Senate

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On November 5, 2024, Fine was elected to the Florida Senate from the 19th district, which includes Cape Canaveral and the majority Brevard County. He was officially sworn into office on November 19, 2024.[33]

Due to Florida's resign-to-run law, after announcing his candidacy for Congress, Fine submitted his resignation from the Florida Senate effective March 31, 2025.[34][35]

U.S. House of Representatives

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2025 U.S House campaign

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Main article: 2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election

Upon the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, Congressman Michael Waltz was announced as the next United States National Security Advisor.[36] Waltz announced his resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives effective January 20, 2025, triggering a special election in Florida's 6th congressional district.[37] On November 26, 2024, Fine declared his candidacy for the United States Congress and was endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump, Senator Rick Scott, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer.[38][39]

On the day of his announcement, he posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "the Hebrew Hammer was coming" and that Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar "might consider leaving before I get there. #BombsAway".[40] He had previously used this hashtag to call for violence in the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and Lebanon,[41] and Haaretz in its reporting deemed the announcement a threat.[42]

Political views

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COVID-19 response

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At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fine asked for local leaders in Brevard County to take the pandemic more seriously.[43] Fine thought it was "a little bit crazy" that Brevard beaches were open to anybody.[43] Fine urged for people to get vaccinated.[44] He opposed making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory, but he encouraged for those who are not vaccinated to follow the CDC's recommendation and wear a mask in group settings.[45] Fine recommended for parents who want mask mandates at school to use the state's school voucher system and send their child to a private school with a mask requirement.[46]

Israel and Palestine

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Fine speaking during the Florida Stands With Israel conference, 2023

In 2018, Fine demanded that venues in Miami and Tampa cancel scheduled concerts with the New Zealand singer Lorde because she had previously cancelled a concert in Israel after being urged to do so by activists from the BDS movement. According to Fine, letting Lorde play would violate an anti-BDS law that the state enacted in 2016.[47] The concerts went on as scheduled.

In April 2019, Fine called Paul Halpern, a Jewish constituent of his, a "Judenrat" for supporting an event that discussed the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Halpern stated, "That's the worst thing anyone can say to me. I'm someone who’s been a victim of anti-Semitism much of my life, and there’s no worse name you can call a Jewish person than 'Judenrat.' It tells me about the character of the person who said it, especially since he doesn’t know me."[3]

In May 2021, amid the ongoing crisis in Israel and Palestine, Fine made several derogatory posts and comments on his Facebook and Twitter pages regarding Palestinians, including a celebration of the Israeli army's bombing of the Gaza Strip.[48]

Following the killing of Turkish-American citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi by the Israel Defense Forces in September 2024, Fine tweeted "Throw rocks, get shot. One less #MuslimTerrorist. #FireAway," drawing calls by the Council on American–Islamic Relations for the legislature to censure Fine.[49][50]

In October 2023, Fine switched his endorsement in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries from Ron DeSantis to Donald Trump over the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[51][52]

Opposition to LGBT community

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Fine has repeatedly made unsubstantiated allegations that gay and lesbian people are "grooming" minors[53][non-primary source needed][54][55] and has publicly spoken in favor of "erasing"[56][57][58] the LGBT community. He supported the Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed the "Don't Say Gay Bill" by its critics, that banned classroom instruction about sex education topics in schools.[55]

In April 2021, Fine was one of 77 Republicans in the House to vote yes on bill CS/HB 1475 which bars transgender girls and women from playing on girls' sports teams at public schools.[59][60]

Fine has proposed a bill to ban drag performances where children might be in attendance. Opponents of the bill note would ban his own wife's "sultry performances"[61] that she says are to benefit a children's charity.[62][63] NBC News reported that video of previous years' galas, where his wife performed, confirmed that toddlers were in attendance,[62] and Business Insider reported that in previous years children performed alongside adults at the galas.[64]

Personal life

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Fine married his first wife, Anne Price, in 1996.[5] They met while working for Students for an Energy Efficient Environment Inc.[65]

In 2007, with his second wife Wendy, he purchased a 4,000 square foot home in Melbourne Beach, to which they added 4,500 square feet at a cost of $1,000,000.[66] In 2023, his wife Wendy was accused of sexually suggestive dancing in the presence of children, according to a report by NBC News. The accusation occurred at a Spring Forward for Autism non-profit gala in Melbourne, Florida.[62]

Notes

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  1. ^ Fine submitted his resignation from his current office when he announced his campaign, which is set to become effective on March 31, 2025.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Florida House of Representatives - Randy Fine - 2022 - 2024 ( Speaker Renner )". Myfloridahouse.gov. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. ^ Lemongello, Stephen (November 26, 2024). "GOP firebrand Randy Fine running for Congress after Trump endorsement". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Lemongello, Steven (April 16, 2019). "Jewish constituent targeted by state Rep. Randy Fine's 'Judenrat' comment calls for apology". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  4. ^ "MIT Scholar". Hollywood Sun-Tattler. March 5, 1971. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Fine-Price Wedding". The Daily Oklahoman. June 30, 1996. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "A Salute to Scholars Our No. 1's". Lexington Herald-Leader. June 17, 1992. p. Community 8 (48). Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Lexington student chosen as House page". Lexington Herald-Leader. June 28, 1990. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ VanHoose, Linda (July 24, 1991). "Henry Clay's House page is a model at Citizen Bee". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ VanHoose, Linda (August 5, 1992). "Student adds award to political resume". Lexington Herald-Leader. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b "Managing Director: Randall A. Fine". The Fine Point Group. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019. He holds both his undergraduate degree magna cum laude, and his MBA degree, with high honors, from Harvard University.
  11. ^ Frank, Stephen E. (October 14, 1994). "Scandal Before Service: Harvard's student leaders are a laughing stock". Harvard Crimson. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c Dave Berman (January 16, 2015). "Gaming official from Brevard to seek House seat". Florida Today. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  13. ^ Caputo, Marc (May 19, 2015). "Randy Fine exploring U.S. Sen. bid". Politico. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  14. ^ Bonanno, Chris. "State House of Representatives District 53 race". Florida Today. Archived from the original on July 24, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  15. ^ "Election results for Brevard County and Florida races". Florida Today. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  16. ^ "Florida House of Representatives District 53". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "Florida House of Representatives District 33". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  18. ^ Smith, Nancy (March 17, 2018). "Rep. Randy Fine, Champion for the Indian River Lagoon". Sunshine State News. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  19. ^ "Rep. Randy Fine Proposes HB 141 During 2019 Legislative Session to Clean Up Indian River Lagoon". Space Coast Daily. December 29, 2018. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  20. ^ "House Bill 829 (2019) - The Florida Senate". flsenate.gov. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  21. ^ "Brevard County leaders have failed to address our poop problem | Opinion". Florida Today. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  22. ^ Winikoff, Mike (December 20, 2018). "County seeks to extend biosolids ban". Hometown News Treasure Coast. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  23. ^ "Melbourne officials defend city water as residents speak up at Rep. Fine meeting". Florida Today. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  24. ^ "Sewage sludge central? Officials fear waste from other communities threatens water supplies". Florida Today. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  25. ^ The Editorial Board (May 24, 2018). "Rep. Randy Fine's bullying of local leaders is bad for Brevard County: Our view". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  26. ^ Rogers, Eric; Berman, Dave (March 16, 2023). "Randy Fine pulls $2 million request as Brevard Zoo considers ban on campaign events". Florida Today. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  27. ^ Rogers, Eric (April 23, 2022). "Florida Rep. Randy Fine threatened Special Olympics funding over school board member feud, texts show". Florida Today. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  28. ^ Vasquez, Tyler (April 26, 2023). "Ethics commission finds probable cause against Randy Fine in dispute with West Melbourne". Retrieved November 26, 2024. According to the Florida Commission on Ethics findings released Wednesday, members "found probable cause to believe that [Fine] abused his position to obtain a disproportionate benefit and that he misused his position by threatening to take away State funding over a personal feud with a Brevard County School Board member, and that he interfered in a council member's response to a public records request for communications related to thedispute.
  29. ^ a b Hanson, Mike (October 1, 2024). "State Rep. Randy Fine ordered to anger management after contempt ruling". Retrieved November 26, 2024. The Court is going to order Mr. Fine to complete an 8-hour anger management course offered by the Florida Safety Council," the judge ruled.
  30. ^ "DeSantis signs bill revoking Disney's special self-governing status in Florida". NBC News. April 22, 2022. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  31. ^ "Disney 'kicked the hornet's nest,' competitors do not get same special privileges, says state Rep. Fine". CNBC. April 21, 2022. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  32. ^ Swisher, Skyler; Gillespie, Ryan (April 22, 2022). "Disney World's Reedy Creek: What happens after the special district is abolished?". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  33. ^ Cooper, Amber Jo (November 19, 2024). "Newly elected Florida lawmakers sworn in, marking start of 2024-2026 legislative term". Florida's Voice. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  34. ^ Rogers, Eric (November 5, 2024). "Election 2024: Randy Fine wins State Senate District 19 race". Florida Today. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  35. ^ Ogles, Jacob (November 26, 2024). "Randy Fine officially resigns from Florida Senate". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  36. ^ "Trump says US congressman Mike Waltz will be his national security adviser". Reuters. November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  37. ^ Brooks, Emily (November 25, 2024). "Mike Waltz to resign from House day of inauguration to join Trump administration". The Hill. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  38. ^ Gancarski, A.G. (November 23, 2024). "Donald Trump backs Randy Fine as replacement for Mike Waltz in CD 6". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  39. ^ Ogles, Jacob (November 26, 2024). "Rick Scott, Mike Johnson endorse Randy Fine for Congress". Florida Politics. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  40. ^ Manchester, Julia (November 27, 2024). "Florida GOP House candidate: Tlaib, Omar 'might consider leaving before I get there'". The Hill. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  41. ^ Huggins, Katherine (November 27, 2024). "'Consider leaving': MAGA lawmaker angling for House says it's 'bombs away' for Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib". The Daily Dot. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  42. ^ Fink, Rachel (November 28, 2024). "'Bombs Away': GOP Congress Candidate Threatens Muslim Congresswomen Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib". Haaretz. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  43. ^ a b Parker, Alyssa (April 8, 2020). "State Rep. Randy Fine unloads on Facebook, blasts local leaders for not taking COVID-19 seriously". Capitolist. Retrieved November 26, 2024. "For whatever reason, some folks just aren't taking this whole thing seriously," Fine said early in his opening remarks. "Unfortunately, Brevard County is the only county on the east coast where our beaches are open to anybody…it's a little bit crazy."
  44. ^ "State Rep. Randy Fine urges people to get vaccinated". Fox 35. July 22, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  45. ^ Moyer, Crystal (July 20, 2021). "Frustrated by misinformation, Brevard County lawmaker posts data on Facebook about COVID-19". Click Olando. Retrieved November 26, 2024. Fine is also encouraging those who aren't vaccinated to continue following CDC recommendations and wear a mask in group settings.
  46. ^ Vasquez, Tyler (August 4, 2021). "Florida's classroom mask mandate ban doesn't impact private schools, leading to voucher push". Florida Today. Retrieved November 26, 2024. State Rep. Randy Fine, a Palm Bay Republican, suggested Monday to parents dissatisfied with the lack of mask mandates at public schools that they utilize the state's voucher system to send their children to a private school with a mask requirement.
  47. ^ "Rep. Fine wants Lorde's concerts in Miami, Tampa canceled". The Leaf Chronicle. February 8, 2018. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  48. ^ "CAIR calls for ethics investigation into Florida Rep. Randy Fine following bigoted remarks against Palestinians". Orlando Weekly. May 26, 2021. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  49. ^ El-Khaldi, Ayah (September 10, 2024). "Florida lawmaker sparks outrage for celebrating Turkish-American activist's killing in West Bank". Middle East Eye. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  50. ^ "Florida lawmaker calls American citizen killed abroad a 'Muslim terrorist'". September 9, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  51. ^ Fineout, Gary (October 24, 2023). "Florida Jewish Republican tears into DeSantis, endorses Trump". POLITICO. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  52. ^ "Rep. Fine, Florida Legislature's only Jewish Republican, knocks DeSantis, endorses Trump". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  53. ^ @VoteRandyFine (April 15, 2023). "The perverts who wish to groom our children will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. Today, I got to read about one named @mattlavietes Tomorrow, all of you will as well" (Tweet). Retrieved April 15, 2023 – via Twitter.
  54. ^ "Florida Rep. Randy Fine calls school leader 'whore,' threatens Special Olympics | Commentary". Orlando Sentinel. April 26, 2022. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  55. ^ a b "State Rep. Randy Fine says he's being considered for FAU president job. DeSantis' office calls him 'a good candidate.'". Sun Sentinel. March 28, 2023. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  56. ^ Thakker, Prem (November 1, 2022). "Florida Republican Defends Anti-Drag Bill Even If It Means "Erasing a Community"". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  57. ^ Riley, John (April 14, 2023). "Florida Republican is Fine with "Erasing" LGBTQ Community". Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  58. ^ "Florida Politician Supports Eradication of LGBTQ+ Community". The Advocate. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  59. ^ "CS/HB 1475: Sex-specific Student Athletic Teams or Sports". Florida House of Representatives. June 1, 2021. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  60. ^ "Florida governor bans transgender women and girls from school sports". NBC News. Associated Press. June 1, 2021. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  61. ^ "Gala". Spring Forward for Autism. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  62. ^ a b c "Wife of Florida drag ban sponsor to host 'sultry' performance to benefit kids' charity". NBC News. April 13, 2023. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  63. ^ "Wife of Florida Anti-Drag Lawmaker to Host 'Sultry' Performance Event for Nonprofit". The Advocate. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  64. ^ Snodgrass, Erin. "A Florida Republican who sponsored an anti-drag bill 'can't answer' whether his wife's charity event featuring 'sultry performers' would be criminalized under his own law". Business Insider. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  65. ^ "Fine-Price". Lexington Herald-Leader. April 28, 1996.
  66. ^ Straub, Anne (January 9, 2011). "Militano Construction Remodels Home to Create a "Fine" Estate". Florida Today. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
Florida House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 53rd district
2016–2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 33rd district
2022–2024 		Succeeded by
Monique Miller
Florida Senate
Preceded by Member of the Florida Senate
from the 19th district
2024–present 		Incumbent
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