Overdorf Ends 8-Year House Run, Targets 2028 Senate Seat

Rep. Toby Overdorf, a Palm City Republican who has represented Martin and St. Lucie counties in the Florida House since 2018, delivered a farewell address to his colleagues this week. He is closing out eight years in the chamber while keeping his sights firmly on a return to Tallahassee.

For Treasure Coast residents, Overdorf's departure from House District 85 opens a seat that has shaped local water policy, development regulation, and human trafficking enforcement — three areas where the lawmaker played a leading role during his tenure. His exit also sets up a 2028 Senate race that will determine who carries the region's voice into the upper chamber.

In his floor remarks, Overdorf struck a bipartisan tone. "Legislative debate can sometimes be 'spirited' — and that is a good thing. Healthy disagreement is part of democracy. But at the end of the day, what matters is that we approach this work with respect for one another and a shared commitment to the people we serve," he said. He also framed his time in office around obligation rather than achievement. "Public service is not about titles or recognition. It is about stewardship — stewardship of our laws, stewardship of our communities, and stewardship of the future of the great state of Florida," Overdorf said.

During his eight years in the House, Overdorf served as chair of the House Select Committee on Property Taxes and alternating chair of the House Joint Administrative Procedures Committee. His legislative record includes advancing water restoration policy for rivers, springs, and wetlands — a priority closely watched by Treasure Coast environmental advocates — as well as modernizing development permitting and strengthening Florida's human trafficking laws. He trained more than 100,000 Floridians to identify trafficking activity.

Overdorf announced his campaign for Senate District 3 in July, seeking to succeed Sen. Gayle Harrell, who is barred by term limits from seeking re-election in 2028.

The SD 3 race covers portions of the Treasure Coast and will not appear on the ballot until 2028, giving Overdorf nearly three years to build his campaign.

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