Sen. Ed Hooper announced on Wednesday that he will resign from the Legislature later this year, ending a 16-year career in the state House and Senate.
Hooper, a Clearwater Republican who represents parts of Pinellas and Pasco counties, said in a letter to senators that he submitted his formal resignation to Gov. Ron DeSantis, effective Nov. 3.
“It has been my great honor to serve eight years as a State Representative and eight years as a State Senator,” Hooper wrote.
Hooper, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said lawmakers advanced budgets that supported infrastructure, public safety, sustainable growth and disaster response while maintaining what he described as a fiscally responsible approach.