GAYLE HARRELL represents Florida Senate District 25, soon to be District 31, which includes Martin and St. Lucie Counties and part of Palm Beach County. She was elected to the Florida Senate in November 2018 after serving two terms in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2008 and from 2010-2018. Senator Harrell has over 25 years of experience in healthcare. She has worked as a Healthcare Administrator, managing the Ob-Gyn. practice of Dr. James E. Harrell and was the founder of the Breast Imaging Center, a mammography center specializing in preventive care for women. Her experience in healthcare has made her a leader in setting healthcare policies for the State of Florida.
Senator Harrell is Chair of the Transportation Committee and Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. Senator Harrell is also a member of the Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Military and Veterans Affairs and Space, Finance and Tax, Reapportionment, and the Select Subcommittee on Congressional Reapportionment.
Senator Harrell has won numerous awards for her legislative service. Among her many awards, she has received the Legislator of the Year by the Florida Medical Association, the Legislative Leadership Award by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Legislative Award by the Florida Children’s Forum, an “A” Ranking by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Friend of Free Enterprise Award by the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Legislative Achievement Award by Keep Florida Beautiful, and the Distinguished Legislator Award by the Florida Police Benevolent Association.
A resident of Florida’s Treasure Coast for over 40 years, Senator Harrell is committed to serving the community having served as president of many civic organizations such as Hibiscus Children’s Center, Education Foundation of Martin County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties, and HPS – Helping People Succeed. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Latin American History from the University of Florida where she received the Edith Bristol Tigert award as an Outstanding Female Graduate and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Gayle was married to Dr. James Harrell (deceased) for 51 years, has four children and eight grandchildren, and is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Stuart.