Incoming Gov. Ron DeSantis has picked state Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, to lead the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
DeSantis made the announcement on Tuesday.
“Florida’s trillion-dollar economy is founded on thriving businesses—from the small mom and pop shops to the largest corporations headquartered in the Sunshine State,” said DeSantis. “It is vital to our state’s continued success that we streamline the way we approach business regulation and eliminate the bureaucratic barriers that stifle growth. For that reason, I am proud to announce that I have asked Representative Halsey Beshears to serve as the secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Halsey has been a champion for deregulation and, under his leadership, this agency will become the focal driver that will make Florida a premier destination for entrepreneurs and companies seeking to relocate. Halsey, a nationally recognized regulatory innovator, is the perfect choice to lead DBPR. I am more than confident that his leadership and expertise will bring jobs, economic growth, and continued success to our state,” DeSantis added.
The move won the applause of state House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami.
“Halsey Beshears is a highly capable leader who has worked tirelessly to unlock more opportunities for Floridians by cutting unnecessary regulations that impede entrepreneurs and small-businesses,”Oliva said. “He is an excellent choice to lead DBPR and I know will he use that passion and expertise well at Florida’s key regulatory agency.”
A businessman based in Jefferson County, Beshears has led the House Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee and was to take over the House Ways and Means Committee which oversees DBPR. He represents all Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla Counties and part of Leon County in the House.
First elected to the House in 2012 and facing term limits in 2020, Beshears had been garnering buzz as a potential candidate to replace state Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee. When Montford flirted with running for mayor of Tallahassee, Beshears was seen as the top Republican to run for the Senate seat.
Kevin Derby can be reached at Kevin.Derby@floridadaily.com.
