Voters have selected Randy Maggard to become their next representative in District 38 of the Florida House of Representatives.
Maggard, a Republican, received 9,615 votes, or 55.58 percent of the total in the Special Election held on June 18. His opponent Kelly Smith, a Democrat, received 7,684, or 44.42 percent of the vote.
The voter turnout in the contest was 15.24.
The district’s boundaries stretch roughly from East Pasco over to U.S. 41 in Central Pasco.
Maggard fills a vacancy that was created by former Rep. Danny Burgess, who accepted an offer from Gov. Ron DeSantis to become the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Maggard is a businessman and community leader. He’s served as vice president of Sonny’s Discount Appliances for 30 years, according to campaign materials.
He is a Pasco County native, attended Zephyrhills High School and holds an Associate of Arts degree from Pasco-Hernando Community College (now known as Pasco-Hernando State College).
He has served on the Southwest Water Management Governing Board since 2011, including a stint as chairman, from 2016 to 2018.
He was chairman of the Republican Party of Pasco from 2006 to 2012.
He was a member of the Coastal River Basin Board, from 2004 to 2008, and was vice chairman on that board from 2008 to 2010.
Maggard lives in Dade City. He’s been married to his wife, Colleen, for 34 years, and they have three children.
In his free time, Maggard enjoys hunting, fishing, ranching and spending time with his family.
Maggard was endorsed by Burgess, whom he is replacing.
He also received endorsements from other widely known Pasco County public office holders, including Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco; Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano; Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley; Pasco County Commission Vice Chairman Mike Moore; Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning; and former Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran.
Published June 26, 2019
