Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who was involved in expeditions in Nicaragua and the Yucatan Peninsula. He played an important role in Francisco Pizarro's conquest of the Inca Empire in Peru, but is best known for leading the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States. He is the first European documented as having crossed the Mississippi River.
Hernando County is a county located on the west central coast of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 194,515. Its county seat is Brooksville, and its largest community is Spring Hill.
Spring Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hernando County, Florida, United States. The population was 113,568 at the 2020 census, up from 98,621 at the 2010 census. Spring Hill belongs to Florida's Nature Coast region and is in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area. It is east of Hernando Beach, southwest of Brooksville, and north of Tampa.
Ocala is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Florida, United States. Located in North Florida, the city's population was 63,591 as of the 2020 census, making it the 54th-most populated city in Florida. Ocala is the principal city of the Ocala metropolitan area, which had a population of 375,908 in 2020.
Adam Hughes Putnam is an American politician who served as the 11th Commissioner of Agriculture of Florida from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives for five terms, representing the Central Florida-based 12th congressional district. He chaired the House Republican Conference from 2007 to 2009.
William Sherman Jennings was an American politician. He served as the 18th Governor of Florida after being a lawyer, county judge, and state representative.
The 2006 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican Governor Jeb Bush was term-limited, and could not run for reelection to a third consecutive term. The election was won by then-Republican Charlie Crist, the state's Attorney General. The election was notable in that for the first time, the state elected a Republican governor in three consecutive elections.
Brooksville, a city, is the seat of Hernando County, Florida, in the United States. At the 2010 census it had a population of 7,719, up from 7,264 at the 2000 census. Brooksville is home to historic buildings and residences, including the homes of former Florida governor William Sherman Jennings and football player Jerome Brown. It is part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Hernando High School is a public high school located in Brooksville, Florida. It is part of the Hernando County School District. It has been in operation since 1889, which makes it one of the oldest continuously operating public high schools in the United States.
William Venroe Chappell Jr. was an American Democratic politician from Florida who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969 to 1989.
Rob Schenck was a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014, representing the 44th District from 2006 to 2012 and the 35th District, which included Spring Hill and Brooksville in Hernando County, from 2012 to 2014.
The 2012 United States Senate election in Florida was held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the House and Senate, as well as various state and local elections. The primary election was held August 14, 2012. Incumbent Senator Bill Nelson won reelection to a third term, defeating Republican U.S. Representative Connie Mack IV by 13%, winning 55% to 42%. Nelson defeated Mack by over 1 million votes. This is the last time Democrats won a U.S. Senate race in Florida.
Richard B. "Rich" Nugent is an American retired law enforcement officer and former United States Congressman. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former Sheriff of Hernando County, Florida. On November 2, 2010, Richard Nugent defeated Democratic nominee James Piccillo, to replace retiring Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite. Nugent was a member of the Tea Party Caucus. On November 2, 2015, Nugent announced he would not seek reelection.
Wilton Earl Simpson is an American politician who has served as the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture since 2023. From 2012 to 2022, he served as a member of the Florida Senate, representing areas around Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties. He was elected Senate President for the 2020–2022 legislature.
Jimmie Todd Smith is an American Citrus County Commissioner and former member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 34th District, which includes Citrus County and northern Hernando County, elected in 2012. He also was a House member representing the 43rd District from 2010 to 2012. He is a Republican and U.S. Army veteran.
Charles Lester Nergard was an American politician who represented parts of the Treasure Coast in the Florida House of Representatives from 1967 to 1976 and 1978 to 1990
Florida's 53rd House District elects one member of the Florida House of Representatives. Its current representative is Jeff Holcomb. The district currently covers parts of Hernando and Pasco counties.
Blaise Ingoglia is an American politician who currently serves as a member of the Florida Senate, representing the 11th district, since 2022. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2014 to 2022 in the 35th district, as well as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida from 2015 to 2019.
Randy Maggard is an American politician. He is a Republican representing the 38th district in the Florida House of Representatives.
