Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has resigned from the Florida House of Representatives after the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination as Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil. Perez announced his resignation in a letter to House members, saying President Donald J. Trump asked him to serve in the ambassadorial role. His resignation from the Florida House takes effect Friday, Aug. 21, and he will take the oath of office as ambassador later this month.
Under House Rule 2.5(d), Speaker pro tempore Wyman Duggan will assume the duties, powers, and prerogatives of the Speaker. Perez stated in his resignation letter that he has notified Speaker-designate Sam Garrison that his team may take control of House operations on Sept. 8 to allow more time to prepare for the start of his term. The transition creates a brief window where Duggan will serve as acting speaker before Garrison assumes the role.
In his resignation letter, Perez reflected on his tenure leading the chamber. He described serving in the House and as Speaker as the honor of his life. Perez told members they have been on a sometimes thrilling and sometimes tumultuous journey together during his time in leadership.
Perez expressed hope that House members feel, as he does, that they have done right by the House and the people of Florida as they look back on this term. The resignation marks the end of his service in the Florida Legislature as he prepares to represent the United States in Brazil. Perez becomes the latest Florida state legislator to leave office for a federal appointment under the Trump administration.