DeSantis Orders Flags Lowered for Former Rep. Bill Posey

Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags at the Capitol, Brevard County Courthouse, and Palm Bay City Hall to fly at half-staff Saturday in honor of former U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, who died last month at age 78.

Posey, a Republican, served 16 years in Congress representing Florida's Space Coast before retiring. He spent eight years in each chamber of the Florida Legislature before his election to federal office — a combined record of public service spanning more than three decades.

The tribute carries weight along the Treasure Coast. Brevard County sits directly on Indian River County's northern border, and Posey's congressional district encompassed communities whose environmental and economic interests mirror those of Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. He was a cofounder of the Congressional Estuary Caucus, a bipartisan group focused on protecting the coastal waterway systems — including the Indian River Lagoon — that define life and livelihoods on this stretch of Florida's coastline.

"Former Representative Posey lived an honorable life of service and always displayed his unwavering dedication to the citizens of Florida," DeSantis wrote in his Friday directive. "Our prayers go out to his family."

U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, a Republican who now holds the seat Posey once occupied, remembered his predecessor in a public tribute. "Throughout his career, he earned a reputation as a principled conservative, a steadfast advocate for fiscal responsibility and government transparency, and a tireless supporter of America's space program and the communities he proudly represented along Florida's Space Coast," Haridopolos wrote.

The half-staff order took effect Saturday.

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