Toni Jennings Biography

Toni Jennings, the former Lt. Governor of Florida, was the first woman to hold the office.

As Lt. Governor, Jennings used her unique knowledge of business and her extensive public-sector experience to support Gov. Jeb Bush's initiatives for economic development, quality education and strengthening families.

Jennings is a native of Orlando, Fla. She was a public school teacher at Killarney Elementary in Orange County.

Jennings served two terms as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. She was then elected to the Florida Senate in 1980 and represented Central Florida for 20 years.

In addition to her public service, Jennings also ran Jack Jennings & Sons, a family-owned construction business. She left the business to become Lt. Governor.

During her sixth term in office, Jennings was chosen by her peers to serve as Florida’s first, and only, two-term State Senate President. As a Senate leader, she distinguished herself as a skilled consensus builder, championing workforce development initiatives, creating the state’s school readiness program and establishing a system of accountability in public education.

Jennings was also a major force behind the state’s successful program to move citizens from welfare to self-sufficiency and chaired Workforce Florida, Inc.

Jennings’ Senate leadership earned her numerous awards, including designation as “Florida Guardian of Small Business” by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Florida Wildlife Association/National Wildlife “Conservation Legislator of the Year” award and the “Friend of Education Award” granted by the Florida School Boards Association. In 2002, Jennings was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.

Jennings continues to champion the cause of education, visiting schools throughout Florida to inspire the highest standards of literacy.