PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A longtime Florida senator who represented Pinellas County for several years has died.
Jack Latvala was 74.
His son, Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala, announced his father’s death on Wednesday.
In a statement, Chris Latvala said, “We are grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support during this difficult time. Jack dedicated a lifetime to public service and was honored to serve the community he loved. We appreciate everyone’s kindness as our family mourns this tremendous loss.”
Born in Oxford, Mississippi, and raised in Bartow, Jack Latvala graduated from Stetson University before becoming a well-known name in Florida politics.
A Republican, the elder Latvala served two stints in the state Senate, once from 1994 to 2002 and then again from 2010 to 2018.
Latvala stepped down from his state Senate position in 2018, and a gubernatorial bid, following allegations of sexual harassment from female staffers and lobbyists.
He denied any wrongdoing. In July 2019, a state prosecutor said there was insufficient evidence to prove that Jack Latvala, who had been budget chairman before the scandal broke, engaged in any misconduct.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.