Marty Bowen

Marsha L. "Marty" Bowen (born June 24, 1954) is a Republican politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 65th District from 2000 to 2008. She served as the Speaker pro tempore of the State House from 2007 to 2008 and as Majority Leader from 2006 to 2007.

Early life and career Bowen was born in Winter Haven, Florida, and grew up in Miami, graduating from Southwest Miami Senior High School. She joined her family's citrus business, Bowen Brothers Citrus, and served as vice president of the company.

Florida House of Representatives In 2000, when Democratic State Representative Lori Edwards was term-limited, Bowen ran to succeed her in the 65th district, which included Haines City and Winter Haven in central Polk County. She faced Earle Lee, the former President of Landmark Baptist College, in the Republican primary. and advanced to the general election, where she faced Haines City High School teacher Marlene Bozeman, the Democratic nominee. She defeated Bozeman with 54 percent of the vote, flipping the seat for the Republican Party.

Bowen ran for re-election in 2002 and won the Republican nomination unopposed. She faced Libertarian James Clifford in the general election, and defeated him in a landslide, winning 74 percent of the vote. In 2004, Bowen faced retired U.S. Air Force executive David Anderson, the Democratic nominee. She defeated Bowen by a wide margin, receiving 61 percent of the vote to his 39 percent.

Following the 2006 election, Bowen was appointed by State House Speaker Marco Rubio as the Majority Leader, and became the first Republican woman to hold the role in state history.

Bowen was term-limited in 2008 and was unable to seek re-election. In 2007, she announced that she would run for state Commissioner of Agriculture in 2010, but she dropped out of the race in 2009, opting to focus on her business.