State Senator Gayle Harrell

Gayle Harrell represents Florida Senate District 31, which includes Martin and St. Lucie Counties and part of Palm Beach County.  She was elected to the Florida Senate in November 2018 after serving eight terms in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2008 and 2010-2018. 

Gayle’s commitment and service to our community have prepared her to serve as our Senator in Tallahassee. As a child in a military family, a devoted wife and proud mother, a dedicated teacher, a successful businesswoman, and a committed community volunteer, Gayle brings a lifetime of experience with her to the State Senate.

Gayle has used the skills she developed as a mother, public school teacher and businesswoman to identify problems and work with her constituents to solve them. Throughout her service in Tallahassee, Gayle has always been focused on delivering real results for District 31.

Gayle has also stayed close to her community even when she is often called to Tallahassee for meetings. Whether it is organizing events such as the Juvenile Justice Work Group, DUI and Alcohol Abuse Task Force meetings, Mental Child Abuse working groups, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Community Forums and many others, Gayle is always there to listen to her neighbors and constituents.

Senator Harrell has over 25 years of experience in healthcare.  She worked as a Healthcare Administrator, managing the Ob-Gyn. practice of Dr. James E. Harrell and was the founder of the Breast Imaging Center, a mammography center specializing in preventive care for women.  Her experience in healthcare has made her a leader in setting healthcare policy for the State of Florida.

Senator Harrell has won numerous awards for her legislative service. Among her many awards she has received the Legislator of the Year by the Florida Medical Association, the Legislative Leadership Award by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Legislative Award by the Florida Children’s Forum, an “A” Ranking by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Friend of Free Enterprise Award by the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Legislative Achievement Award by Keep Florida Beautiful, and the Distinguished Legislator Award by the Florida Police Benevolent Association. She has been recognized at the national level as Legislator of the Year by Health Information Systems Society (HIMSS) and Exceptional Legislator Award by the Schizophrenia & Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA).

Senator Harrell is committed to serving our community having served on the boards of many local civic organizations such as Hibiscus Children’s Center, Education Foundation of Martin County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties, HPS – Helping People Succeed and advisory board member of Center for Constitutional Values.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Latin American History from the University of Florida where she received the Edith Bristol Tigert award as an Outstanding Female Graduate and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Gayle was married to Dr. James Harrell (deceased) for 53 years, has four children and eight grandchildren, and is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Stuart.