WATCH: Former President of the Florida Senate Mike Haridopolos Leads Fight for Term Limits in Brevard County

By  //  August 10, 2022

Haridopolos elected President of the Florida Senate from 2010-2012

ABOVE VIDEO: Former President of the Florida Senate Mike Haridopolos Leads Fight for Term Limits in Brevard County

ABOVE VIDEO: Former President of the Florida Senate Mike Haridopolos Leads Fight for Term Limits in Brevard County

One of Florida’s best legislative and political minds, former President of the Florida Senate Mike Haridopolos is now leading the fight for Term Limits.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – One of Florida’s best legislative and political minds, former President of the Florida Senate Mike Haridopolos is now leading the fight for Term Limits.

The fight comes on the heels of an unpopular proposal, made by District 4 County Commissioner Curt Smith, which would extend term limits for county commissioners in Brevard County from two terms, to three terms.

Haridopolos was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, serving from 2000 to 2003.

He also served in the Florida Senate (2003–2012) and was elected President of the Florida Senate from 2010 to 2012. He presided over the largest Republican Senate majority (28-12) since Reconstruction.

Mike has a history of leading a fiscally responsible conservative agenda, During his first term as Senate President, he oversaw the balancing of the state’s budget which suffered a $4 billion shortfall, without raising taxes or fees.

He now operates MJH Consulting, a leading consulting firm in Florida.

At MJH, Haridopolos leads a team of talented professionals dedicated to assisting clients in a variety of business endeavors including the fields of agriculture, commercial aviation, education, alternative energy, engineering, gaming, health care, internet communications, motorsports, public safety, special needs, transportation and water conservation.

In addition, Haridopolos holds the appointed position of Chairman of the Charter Review Commission.

The Charter Review Commission is made up of 15 members, three appointees from each of the Brevard County Commissioners to represent their Commission Districts including District 1 – Robin Fisher, Kendall Moore and Marcia Newell; District 2 – Mike Haridopolos, Marie Rogerson and Blaise Trettis; District 3 – Matt Nye, Billy Prasad and Bob White; District 4 – Tom Jenkins, Cole Oliver, Sue Schmitt; District 5 – Jordin Chandler, Dave Neuman and Vic Luebker.

Their Mission: WE, THE PEOPLE of Brevard County, residing in the constituent State of Florida of the United States of America, grateful for and secure in our protected individual rights, and in affirmation of dedication to the Constitutions and laws of the United States and of the State of Florida, do ordain and establish this Home Rule Charter for the execution of our County Government for the most common benefits to all our inhabitants. Brevard County shall be a home rule charter county, and, except as may be limited by this Home Rule Charter, shall have all powers of self-government granted now or hereafter by the Constitution of laws of the State of Florida.

During their May 12 meeting, the Brevard County Charter Review Commission voted by a 6-5 margin to terminate a proposal by former Brevard County Commissioner Robin Fisher, which would have repealed the current 8-year term limits for county commissioners and implemented a 12-year limit instead.

Charter Review Commission members voting against term limits were Marcia Newell, Robin Fisher, Kendall Moore, Cole Oliver and Sue Schmitt. Commissioners Mike Haridopolos, Marie Rogerson, Matt Nye, Gabriel Jacobs-Kierstein, Blaise Trettis and Jordin Chandler all voted in support of maintaining the voter-approved 8-year term limits.

Public polling had shown that 82 percent of Brevard residents, including Republicans, Democrats and Independent voters, opposed Fisher’s proposal, preferring to keep the 8-year term limit in place.

During the Charter Review Commission debate, Trettis pointed out that it was unfair for commissioners to delegate to charter appointees a decision on term limits that would affect their own political careers. In addition to killing the anti-term limits proposal, the Charter Review Commission allowed a pro-term limits proposal from Cocoa resident Nick Tomboulides to move forward.

Even with the resounding public sentiment to keep term limits, Commissioner Curt Smith strategically announced the plan in the waning minutes of the commissioners meeting on August 2 without any public notice.

As of publication, the term limit debate has been defeated, two were struck down both by the County Commission and the Charter Review Commission.

John Tobia’s proposal was D.O.A. (Dead On Arrival) because his colleagues said it “amounted to extortion.”

The second would have created a lifetime term limit for commissioners. It came up two votes short of the required number to have added to November’s ballot.

As progressive liberal policies, soaring gas prices, inflation, tax hikes and out of control government spending encroach more and more on our daily lives.

Haridopolos’ fighting spirit and conservative leadership is still alive and a welcomed asset to the citizens of Brevard.