Johnnie Byrd

Johnnie B. Byrd, Jr. (born February 8, 1951, in Brewton, Alabama) served a member of the Florida House of Representatives from District 62 representing Eastern Hillsborough County from 1996 through 2004. He was speaker of the House from 2002-2004. In 2004, Byrd made an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Bob Graham as a Republican candidate. Mel Martinez won the primary and the general election. Prior public service included a service as a school board member of the Brewton City School System in Brewton, Alabama.

He moved to Florida in 1988, and joined the law firm Trinkle, Redman, Moody, Swanson and Byrd. Byrd is currently the managing partner in Byrd & Barnhill, P.L. in Plant City.

He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Auburn University, and a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law.

Johnnie is the founder and a member of the board of the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer’s Institute at the University of South Florida.

Byrd is a past president of the Plant City Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Plant City Rotary Club.

In the Florida House of Representatives Byrd was known for his anti-tax, pro-life, small-government philosophy that earned Byrd the praise of conservatives and freedom lovers along with the distinction of being sharply criticized by liberals, the Florida daily papers, lobbyists, and anyone else who was fearful of an effective conservative leader.

Speaker Byrd and his wife Melane are active members of the First Baptist Church of Plant City where Johnnie has served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Johnnie and his wife Melane have four children, Lt. Melane Anne Byrd, a naval aviator; Sherer Falardeau, a graduate of the University of Florida in history with a B.S. in nursing from U. of West Florida; Amanda Byrd a graduate of the U. of Florida and Masters in Education from the U. of South Florida; and Bryars Byrd a sophomore at U. of South Florida and Midshipman in the Navy ROTC. The Byrd's son-in-law, Lt. J.P. Falardeau is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is now serving as a US Navy flight instructor at the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Johnnie Byrd’s firm belief in less government, less taxes and more personal freedom brought him high marks and honors from business, pro-family and conservative organizations. The following reflect some of the recognition afforded Speaker Byrd over the years for championing these values:

•Speaker Byrd was one of only 40 State Representatives and State Senators to receive “Top Forty” legislator status from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. •Speaker Byrd received a perfect 100% rating from the Christian Coalition of Floridareceived its “Friend of the Family” award. •Byrd was recognized by the Florida Bar Foundation for his efforts to assist in the Legislative funding of the Foundation. •Byrd received the NFIB-Guardian of Small Business Award for a 100% voting Record on issues concerning small businesses. •Johnnie was presented with the Legislative Appreciation award by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for outstanding support to Floridadisabled veterans. •Speaker Byrd received the NRA “Defender of Freedom Award” in 2004 for outstanding leadership in the preservation of 2nd Amendment rights. •Byrd received the 2003 Thomas Jefferson Award for protection of Florida taxpayers.

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