Holly Benson Vows to Support Entrepreneurs and Strengthen Economy

Pensacola, Fla. – Former Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Former Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Former Pensacola State Representative Holly Benson today announced that she has officially entered the race for Florida’s Attorney General for the 2010 election cycle.

“I am running for Florida’s Attorney General because I love Florida and because we need people in government who understand and live by the principles that make this state great,” said Benson, who was surrounded by her friends and family in her hometown of Pensacola on the steps of the Old Escambia County Courthouse. Benson was introduced by Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Ken Bell.

“At a time when government needs to be at its most effective and responsible, people are deeply troubled that government is even more out of touch, more out of control and is expanding its power, while abandoning the principles that make Florida a great place to live, work and raise a family,” continued Benson. “Every elected official has a choice to make and a role to play. Few positions will be as critical to the future in this state as Attorney General.”

Benson was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist as Secretary of AHCA in February 2008, where she led the agency charged with working for better health care for all Floridians and pursued a bold agenda of finding more affordable insurance for Floridians and of attacking Medicaid fraud.

Prior to her appointment as Secretary of AHCA, Benson served as Secretary of DBPR, where she and her team worked to improve customer service and to reduce the regulatory burden placed on Florida’s businesses and professionals. DBPR is responsible for licensing more than 1 million Floridians.

Prior to joining Governor Crist’s administration, Benson served the people of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze for six years as their Representative in the Florida House of Representatives. During her tenure in the Florida House, Benson earned a reputation for successfully tackling tough issues. As Chair of the Select Committee on Article V, she led the successful reorganization of the state court system. As Chair of the Committee on State Administration, she updated the state’s procurement code. As Chair of the Health and Families Council, she addressed the important health care access issues that touch the lives of all Floridians, particularly the state’s most vulnerable.

In addition, she practiced municipal bond law with Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C. from 1996 to her appointment as Secretary of DBPR in 2007. Benson serves on the Florida Council of 100, the Board of Directors for the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science and the Board of Directors of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. Benson is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Florida College of Law.