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SEMINOLE - Pinellas County's Leslie Waters will be the speaker pro tem in the state House of Representatives for the next two years.
The appointment by House Speaker-designate Allen Bense of Panama City, which members must confirm, will make Waters the second-ranking Republican in the House.
"I am totally thrilled," Waters said Thursday. "I will be at the forefront of all issues that come to the House's attention. ... Being in such a nice position at the top of the legislative spectrum will help not only my district but also Pinellas County."
Waters, 57, won a landslide victory over two opponents Tuesday to retain her District 51 seat.
District 51 covers parts of Seminole, Pinellas Park, Largo, South Pasadena and the unincorporated Lealman area. Waters has held the seat since 1998. This will be her last term because of term limits.
As speaker pro tem, Waters will oversee and coordinate matters Bense assigns to her.
"That's good news," Pinellas Park Vice Mayor Rick Butler said. "I'm glad. She's put in her time."
Waters has a close relationship with Pinellas Park. Last year, she helped the city gain $3.8-million in state funds to help with drainage repairs at Park Boulevard and 49th Street. She also often attends races at the Sunshine Speedway.
"(It's) nice to eat popcorn, watch a race and talk about things," Butler said. "It's nice to have someone that close, that high. Excellent thing."
The closeness combined with Waters' new position, he said, could especially help with local issues, such as annexation, hurricane insurance and the availability of water.