Three Realtors Join Florida Legislature

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Three Florida Realtors® members took the oath of office for the first time yesterday in preparation for their two-year terms as representatives in the Florida State Legislature. The proceedings took place during an Organizational Session where all members of the Legislature gather to adopt the procedural rules for their chamber, formally elect officers and to swear in newly elected members.

Rep. Jose Alvarez, Rep. Yvette Benarroch and Rep. Danny Nix join 12 other Realtors® and Realtor affiliates within the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives who comprise the Florida Realtors Legislative Caucus. The Realtor Caucus is the foundation of the profession’s advocacy efforts in the state capital and helps ensure that the Realtor voice is heard as lawmakers change and create laws that can impact members and their businesses.

“Our Realtor Caucus continues to grow each year as more of our members recognize the importance of having a Realtor voice in the room when critical decisions are being made about our industry and our ability to make a living,” says Gia Arvin, Florida Realtors 2024 President. “Tallahassee can be very unpredictable during the legislative session, but knowing we have 15 lawmakers who walk in our shoes every day and are looking out for our interests should give us all reassurance that the Realtor profession is in good hands in Florida.” 

The 15 members of the Realtor Caucus are (in order by district):

Click here to download and share a list of winners

Florida House of Representatives

• Rep. Jason Shoaf – member of the Tallahassee Board of Realtors®
• Rep. Robert Brackett – member of the Realtors® Association of Indian River County
• Rep. Rachel Plakon – member of the Orlando Regional Realtor® Association
• Rep. Susan Plasencia – employee of the Orlando Regional Realtor® Association
• Rep. Jose Alvarez– member of the Osceola County Association of Realtors®
• Rep. James Buchanan – member of the Realtor® Association of Sarasota and Manatee
• Rep. Danny Nix– member of the Realtors® of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto
• Rep. Yvette Benarroch – member of the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors®
• Rep. Lauren Melo – member of the Naples Area Board of Realtors®
• Rep. Jim Mooney – member of the Florida Keys Board of Realtors®

Florida Senate

• Sen. Jason Brodeur – member of the Orlando Regional Realtor® Association
• Sen. Jim Boyd – affiliate member of the Realtor® Association of Sarasota and Manatee Counties
• Sen. Joe Gruters – affiliate member of the Realtor® Association of Sarasota and Manatee
• Sen. Kathleen Passidomo – affiliate member of the Naples Area Board of Realtors®
• Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez – employee of the Miami Association of Realtors®

“Having a Realtor you can call to talk through a legislative proposal or help spearhead a bill we are pushing on behalf of our members’ interests is invaluable, and the more legislative caucus members we have, the stronger our voice becomes in Tallahassee,” added Arvin.

© 2024 Florida Realtors®