There are few big votes in the state Capitol where the outcome is uncertain. One happened this morning moments before the session even started.

In a secret ballot, House Democratic members voted Ron Saunders of Key West to as caucus leader in 2010 and 2011. Saunders will lead the caucus into the important 2010 elections, when Democrats hope to close in on the Republicans 76-44 majority in the chamber.

Saunders won the election by two votes over Perry Thurston of Plantation for the leadership position. Saunders named Priscilla Taylor of West Palm Beach his leader pro-tempore, the No. 2 position in the caucus.

“The election is over, and we are a united team,” said Representative Saunders. “Thank you, thank you. I look forward to working with each one of you.”

Representative Saunders served in the House of Representatives from 1986 to 1994. He was elected again to the House in 2006 and 2008. He served as House appropriations chairman from 1990 to 1992. He presently is the Democratic Ranking Member on the House Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development.

Representative Saunders, 54, is an attorney and 1976 graduate of the University of Florida. He is a fifth-generation Key Wester. In 1991 and again in 1992, he was voted “Most Effective House Member” by The Miami Herald Poll and has also been the recipient of such awards as the Secretary of State’s Legislative Arts Recognition Award and the Florida Jaycees Outstanding Young Floridian.

Representative Saunders is married to Melodie Saunders and is father to their son Ryan. His father, Jack A. Saunders, served in the House of Representatives from Monroe County from 1960 to 1964.

Tags: Democrats, Priscilla Taylor, Ron Saunders, State House

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 am and is filed under State House. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.