Joseph Abruzzo

Joseph Abruzzo (born August 14, 1980) is a Democratic member of the Florida Senate, representing the 25th District, which includes most of Palm Beach County, since 2012.

History

Joseph Abruzzo graduated from Lynn University with a degree in international communications in 2003, and joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve later that year, where he worked as a port security specialist. In 2006, he ran for the Florida House of Representatives from the 86th District, but he lost to Maria Sachs in the Democratic primary. Abruzzo ran for the House again in 2008, but instead, in the 85th District. He was unopposed in the primary, and, in the general election, defeated the Republican nominee, Howard K. Coates, Jr., an attorney. Abruzzo was narrowly re-elected in 2010, defeating Tami L. Donnally.

Florida Senate

In 2012, Abruzzo ran for the Florida Senate from the newly created 25th District. In a race that was targeted by the Republican Party of Florida as a potential pick-up opportunity, Abruzzo faced off against Melanie Peterson, an agricultural activist and horse broker.The Palm Beach Post, largely due to his opposition to Governor Rick Scott's proposal to eliminate the corporate income tax, endorsed Abruzzo over Peterson, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, citing his "independent streak" and his record of "working with Republicans as a moderate Democrat," endorsed Abruzzo as well. In the end, the 25th District overwhelmingly elected Abruzzo, who won over Peterson with 57% of the vote.