Mike Caruso (politician)
Mike Caruso | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Palm Beach County | |
| Assumed office August 18, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Abruzzo |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office November 6, 2018 – August 18, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | David Silvers |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Constituency | 89th district (2018–2022) 87th district (2022–2025) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 14, 1958 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | George Washington University (BBA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Mike Caruso (born September 14, 1958) is a Republican politician and former member of the Florida House of Representatives who represented parts of Palm Beach County from 2018 until 2025, when he was appointed clerk of the circuit court and comptroller in Palm Beach County.
History
A native of Washington, D.C., Caruso moved to Florida in 1986.[1]
Florida House of Representatives
Caruso defeated Matt Spritz in the August 28, 2018 Republican primary, winning 56.2% of the vote.[2]
In the November 6, 2018 general election, Caruso was narrowly elected with 50.02% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jim Bonfiglio. Caruso's margin of victory — just 32 votes — triggered both a machine and manual recount under Florida law.[3]
On August 18, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Caruso clerk of the circuit court and comptroller for Palm Beach County.[4]
Endorsement controversy
In the 2022 Election, Caruso endorsed Katherine Waldron in the Democratic primary for an open Florida House seat. This move drew criticism from local Republicans. In response to the endorsement, the Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee voted to censure him.[5] In his defense, Caruso argued that his endorsement only applied to the primary election and that he felt compelled to do so because of the work they did together to help bring hurricane relief to the Bahamas.[6]
References
- ^ "Florida House of Representatives - Michael A. "Mike" Caruso - 2018 - 2020 ( Speaker Oliva )". myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results". Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ "Florida Election Watch - State Representative". Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ Waagmeester, Jay (August 18, 2025). "DeSantis appoints loyalist Rep. Mike Caruso as Palm Beach County court clerk". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ^ Geggis, Anne (February 15, 2022). "Palm Beach Republicans censure Mike Caruso over endorsement flap". Florida Politics. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ Schultz, Randy (March 24, 2022). "Caruso Runs in New District, Menin and Clique Split & More". Boca Magazine. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
