In late 2025, Latvala found himself fighting for his life<\/a> after what seemed like ordinary gastrointestinal upset, after experiencing an SMA dissection, where the superior mesenteric artery tears. The SMA supplies blood to part of the large intestine, much of the small intestine, and part of the colon. A dissection is an emergent condition that requires highly specialized care. It put Latvala in the hospital for weeks, with an even longer recovery at home.<\/p>\n But as the enduring strength of his name suggested he would, Latvala overcame, returning to civil service as a revered leader, mostly among his Republican colleagues, but also with respect among those on the other side of the aisle.<\/p>\n While the past year has been quieter than the one before \u2014 and a likely reason for Latvala\u2019s ranking slip this year \u2014 he has nonetheless continued to lead, including by holding even his own colleague, from his own political party, accountable.<\/p>\n Latvala was instrumental in ensuring fellow Pinellas County Commissioner Vince Nowicki did not enter into a conflict, calling attention to Nowicki\u2019s inquiry into serving as City Manager for Treasure Island<\/a> and his decision to forgo a legislative aide in order to keep the salary for himself.<\/p>\n Neither ultimately occurred, possibly thanks to Latvala\u2019s work in bringing Nowicki\u2019s inquiries to light last Summer. But while Latvala was critical of the conflict presented should Nowicki serve in an executive role for a city within the county, he expressed his concerns with the sort of careful diplomacy and southern charm for which Latvala has become known.<\/p>\n The Latvala name is synonymous with power, not just in Pinellas County, but across the state. Before being elected to the County Commission in 2022, Latvala served as a Representative starting in 2014.<\/p>\n Even his transition from Tallahassee powerbroker to local policymaker showed Latvala\u2019s reach. It took an act of the Legislature, on which he still served, to make his Pinellas County Commission race happen when it did. Lawmakers included a provision in a broader law that changes the election for his seat to 2022, thus providing a seamless transition for Latvala from the House to the Commission. Without that, Latvala would not have been on the ballot until 2024, something that could have kept him out of elected office for two years.<\/p>\n And even with the new election date favoring him, no one challenged him. That may have been due to Latvala\u2019s keen ability to raise funds. Latvala ultimately banked more than $100,000<\/a> for a race in which he had no opposition, and that\u2019s not even counting the more than $63,000 he raised for his political committee, Friends of Chris Latvala<\/a>, or money he would have access to through his father Jack Latvala\u2019s PC, the Florida Leadership Committee<\/a>.<\/p>\n Latvala had to run again in 2024, the date of the regularly scheduled election for his District 5 seat, and again faced no opposition.<\/p>\n \u201cChris Latvala and I have grown up in this process together. While he doesn\u2019t take himself too seriously, he is deeply serious about his responsibility as a public servant. He is not afraid to be vocal about issues that are important to him. Through his recent health challenges, it is clear he is guided by his faith and strong family values,\u201d said Shawn Foster,\u00a0owner and founder of Sunrise Consulting Group.<\/p>\n Not facing his own election this year, Latvala will no doubt be instrumental in helping his fellow Republicans gain ground, including his wife, Bianca Latvala, who is running for Clearwater City Council and is the far-and-away front-runner.<\/p>\n Look no further than the 2024 Election when he backed several successful candidates.<\/p>\n His House slate included Kaylee Tuck, who won by a 50-point margin, and Kim Berfield, who dominated\u00a0Bryan Beckman\u00a0in a decisive victory. Earlier in the year, he also helped\u00a0defeat<\/a>\u00a0Clearwater mayoral candidate\u00a0Kathleen Beckman, Bryan Beckman\u2019s wife, and install<\/a>\u00a0two new\u00a0conservative City Council members<\/a> in Clearwater, establishing an all-Republican Board.<\/p>\n Latvala also notched wins for Largo City Commissioner\u00a0Mike Dibrizzi\u00a0and Pinellas School Board member\u00a0Katie Blaxberg, who overcame heavy opposition from high-profile figures such as\u00a0Gov.\u00a0Ron DeSantis, U.S. Rep.\u00a0Anna Paulina Luna\u00a0and even the late\u00a0Hulk Hogan.<\/p>\n He also worked behind the scenes to help elect two Republicans to the Pinellas County Commission, flipping two seats red and leaving his party with a supermajority, with just one Democrat on the dais.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Commissioner Latvala for many, many years, and what has always stood out is how much he genuinely cares about the people of Pinellas County,\u201d said Anita Berry, a senior government consultant for Johnston & Stewart Government Strategies. \u201cHe approaches every challenge with thoughtfulness, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. Whether it\u2019s in Clearwater or across the county, he balances strong leadership with an authentic connection to the people he serves, and that\u2019s a rare quality.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026-Digital-FEA-Ads_Your-Schools-728x90-1.png\")
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