Rouson takes District 55 easily

Herald-Tribune Staff Report

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg lawyer and activist, won election by a wide margin Tuesday to the District 55 seat in the Florida House.

Rouson, the Democrat nominee, faced write-in challenger Calvester Benjamin-Anderson.

District 55 extends through mostly minority neighborhoods in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties, plus the southwest corner of Hillsborough County.

In Sarasota County, Rouson took 91.5 percent of the vote. In Manatee County, he won by 97.5 percent. In Pinellas County, he claimed 87.26 percent. In Hillsborough County, Rouson got seven votes and Benjamin-Anderson received none.

Rouson will replace former Rep. Frank Peterman.

Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Peterman to be secretary of Juvenile Justice, opening the seat and forcing a special election.

Rouson will fill out the remainder of Peterman's term. He intends to run for the seat again in November to win a new two-year term.

On March 25, Rouson won a Democratic Party primary, edging out St. Petersburg City Councilman Earnest Williams and teacher Charles S. McKenzie Jr.

Rouson sworn into House after election

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Democrat Darryl Rouson was sworn in Wednesday as the newest member of the House, a day after being elected to represent a Tampa Bay-area district.

Rouson, an attorney in St. Petersburg, defeated write-in candidate Calvester Benjamin-Anderson in an election Tuesday. He replaces Rep. Frank Peterman, who was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist earlier this year to head the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Rouson, 52, was sworn in by Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince.

The district covers small portions of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Rouson is also a member of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, a panel that meets every 20 years to recommend amendments to the constitution.