Rep. Tobin "Toby" Overdorf (R-Palm City) announced on Monday that he filed paperwork to run for Senate District 31, as first reported by Florida Politics.
"Grateful for the opportunity to earn your support!" Overdorf said in his announcement.
Overdorf will look to succeed Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), who is term-limited in 2028. SD 31 covers Martin County and parts of Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.
The move makes sense for Overdorf, who represents parts of Martin and St. Lucie counties in House District 85. The 56-year-old has served the area since 2018.
Overdorf is term-limited in 2026.
In 2024, Overdorf won his reelection bid over Democrat Lisa Stortstrom by over 14 points. He also won by 22 points over Democrat Curtis Tucker in 2022.
SD 31 is a safe Republican area. In 2024, Harell won her reelection bid over Democrat Andrew Hawkins by 23 points.
This past legislative session, Overdorf sponsored twelve bills in the House. He also co-sponsored another eleven.
Specifically, Overdorf sponsored a seemingly common-sense bill aimed at teaching Florida students in grades two through five how to write in cursive, saying at the time it was a foundational skill and would improve hand-eye coordination.
However, the bill failed to receive any consideration in the Senate. While that failed, Overdorf did champion a bill targeting outdated state statutes and bureaucratic red tape.
A native of Newport, Rhode Island, Overdorf earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Union College in 1991. Moving to Florida in 1992, Overdorf received a master's degree in biology from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and a Master of Business and a Master of Business Administration from FAU.
According to his House campaign bio, Overdorf is a longtime Treasure Coast business owner and community leader. He also founded his own company, Crossroads Environmental Consultants, in 2002.
Overdorf currently serves as Environmental Division President of EDC, Inc., a local engineering firm in the area. In his spare time, Overdorf enjoys fishing, golfing, scuba diving, and skiing.
The SD 31 election is on Nov. 7, 2028.
