Bill Galvano was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives, District 68, in 2002. Galvano serves as Chairman of the Rules and Calendar Council, Chairman of the Select Committee on Seminole Indian Compact Review, Full Appropriations Council on General Government & Health Care, Government Accountability Council, Joint Legislative Budge Commission and the Policy Council.
He is the immediate past-chair of the eight-county Bay Area Legislative Delegation. Galvano, a former graduate of the University of Florida, proudly served for two years as the Gator Caucus chairman. Currently, Galvano serves as a co-chair of the Legislative Biotech Caucus.
Bill is recognized by groups across the state for his support of Florida Kidcare, affordable housing, the Bright Futures Scholarship program and the developmentally disabled. His personal legislative achievements include the creation of the Office of Adoption and Child Protection within the Executive Office of the Governor and the creation of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA), of which he had the distinct honor to be awarded the Chair’s Cup for Excellence in Regionalism. This year, he led the charge to keep gambling interests in check and provide health insurance to more needy children.
Born in Liberty, New York, Bill met his wife, Julie Anne Forrester, in Florida’s elementary school system. They have been married for 15 years. Bill and Julie are the proud parents of three children: Michael, William, and Jacqueline.
As a young man, Galvano worked as a custodian and courier for the storied Grimes-Goebel law firm in Bradenton. He worked hard, saved up and earned his associate’s degree from Manatee Community College. During his tenure at MCC, Bill was also a member of the College Republicans and the Youth for Reagan. In 1989, Galvano received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and went on to receive his juris doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law.
Upon completing law school, Galvano returned to Grimes, Goebel, Grimes, Hawkins,& Gladfelter as an associate. Soon thereafter Galvano became a partner in the firm. Now he is admitted to practice in all courts in Florida, the U.S. District Court’s Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Bill is a member of the Florida Bar Association and a member of the Manatee County Bar Association since 1992. He served on their Board of Directors from 1995 through 1997 and has chaired its general professional and public relations committees.
Galvano has been active in Manatee County politics for almost 20 years. He became a Committeeman for the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee in 1994 and served as the President of Manatee County Young Republicans from 1995-1996. He was chosen as a delegate to the State Republican party convention in 1999.
Over the last decade Bill has fought for the people of State House District 68. Looking forward, he hopes to address the issues of economic growth, affordable healthcare, and regional transportation.