Senate honors Darryl Rouson’s legacy of recovery advocacy

Senators from both sides of the aisle paused floor business to honor St. Petersburg Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson, praising the veteran lawmaker’s mentorship, compassion and decades of advocacy for mental health, addiction recovery and civil rights.

Rouson closed the tribute with reflective remarks thanking colleagues, family members and supporters while urging lawmakers to keep fighting for the issues they believe in. That philosophy, he said, guided his years in public service.

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who pointed out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds could have done better,” Rouson said, quoting Theodore Roosevelt. “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who knows the high triumph of victory. Or if he fails, fails while daring greatly so that his place is never with those cold and timid souls that know neither victory nor defeat.”

The Senate tribute included a video highlighting Rouson’s legislative work and personal journey before lawmakers rose to share stories about his influence inside and outside the chamber. Rouson, the longest-serving Democrat currently in the Legislature, has represented the Pinellas County and Hillsborough communities since 2008 — first in the House before winning election to the Senate in 2016.

Many Senators praised Rouson’s personal journey, approach to public service, calming demeanor, behind-the-scenes humor, mentorship and personal friendship.

Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is slated to lead Senate Democrats for the 2028-30 cycle, said it was Rouson who first reached out shortly after Jones first won election to the House.

“I will never forget after I won my election, I received a text message from an individual,” Jones said. “I didn’t know the number, and it said ‘This is Representative Darryl Rouson. Congratulations, Rep-elect.’”

That outreach grew into a lasting mentorship as Jones advanced through the Legislature, including the moment he decided to run for Senate. He learned that negotiation is a “paramount” part of the legislative process from Rouson.

“I called Darryl and said, ‘I just want to let you know that I’m going to run for the Senate,’” Jones said. “And I wrote down the quote because I’ll never forget. You said, ‘There is no one else I would want to serve with,’ and you said, ‘You have my full support.’”

Jones later added that the Legislature “will be a little dim without you.”

Numerous lawmakers from both parties also detailed their personal relationships with Rouson, noting his work dedicated to addiction recovery, other legislative efforts and memories they formed with him over the years.

Tamarac Democratic Sen. Rosalind Osgood, who has also spoken publicly about her own recovery from addiction, described Rouson as both a mentor and a model for people seeking a second chance.

Osgood recalled how Rouson unexpectedly traveled across the state to help her knock on doors during her first campaign for public office, an act she said helped launch her political career. She also credited Rouson’s work on behavioral health policy — particularly SB 1620, which reframed addiction treatment in Florida law. 

“This particular piece of legislation shifted the trajectory of the state from treating people with addiction like criminals to offering us some compassion, because of you,” she said. “You didn’t just get clean, you carried the mantle and you put it into public policy.”

She called SB 1620 one of the “most significant policy measures” that the state could ever enact, and thanked Rouson for his service and personal support.

“Thank you from this little nappy-headed girl, born on the east side of Fort Lauderdale, that stumbled into recovery,” she said. “Thank you for giving it away, and giving it away, and giving it away again every time I call you. God bless you, my brother, and I love you.”

Bradenton Republican Sen. Jim Boyd said he quickly learned the importance of building a relationship with Rouson when he arrived in the Legislature. He recalled moments throughout the years where the two lawmakers debated each other vigorously on some issues while partnering on others, including on legislation addressing opioid abuse and mental health care.

“I could go on all afternoon, but I just want to tell a couple of quick stories about my relationship with Darryl Rouson,” Boyd said. 

“It began when I got in the House in 2010. You had already been there a couple of years, I believe, and I realized how quickly I needed to get to know this man and get him to like me because he was smart, he was effective, he was fierce in what he believed in. You became a friend, then you helped me. I watched you. You debated me vigorously on issues that we disagreed on, but you partnered with me on issues we agreed on.”

St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie said Rouson made a point of building relationships regardless of party affiliation.

“The way you handle people is something that I will always bring with me no matter what, and I want to thank you for that,” DiCeglie said. 

Stuart Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell reflected on years of legislative battles alongside Rouson to address Florida’s opioid crisis, recalling how the two worked together since the late 2000s to push for stronger oversight of prescription drugs, reforms targeting abuses in sober homes, and addiction treatment programs. She said Rouson remained a constant advocate through those fights, even when efforts stalled or faced repeal attempts.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done. You are my hero,” she said.

Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman also praised Rouson’s leadership and compassion, saying his willingness to share his personal story helped bring empathy and understanding to difficult policy discussions in the chamber. She reflected on Rouson’s kindness and willingness to engage colleagues across difficult policy debates, saying his empathy shaped conversations in the chamber. 

“You don’t always speak here, but when you do you have a lot to say. You always say it so intelligently and you frame your argument so logically. You represent your constituents and all Floridians with dignity,” Berman said. “You’ve been a true leader here in this Legislature. Your voice will truly be missed.”

Naples Republican Sen. Kathleen Passidomo said Rouson’s advocacy on addiction policy began long before the opioid crisis became a national focus.

“There are moments in the life of this chamber when we’re reminded that our work is not merely the crafting of policy, but the expression of our shared humanity,” Passidomo said. “Today is one of those moments.”

Senate President Ben Albritton used his remarks to recall a visit to church with Rouson in St. Petersburg, saying the experience revealed the depth of the Senator’s connection to his community and the respect he commands far beyond the Capitol.

“I believe you were appointed here by God to make the difference that we just heard today,” Albritton said.

Rouson reflected on how his recovery journey shaped his life and public service throughout his closing remarks, telling colleagues that his time in the Legislature allowed him to turn personal hardship into a broader mission of helping others. He said the opportunity to serve gave meaning to the struggles he once faced and reinforced the responsibility to lift others facing similar challenges. 

“I don’t want to be a cold and timid soul,” he said in reference to Roosevelt’s quote.