Tom A. Wright is an American businessman and Republican politician who has served as a member of the Florida Senate since 2018. Wright represents the 8th district, encompassing parts of Brevard and Volusia counties.
Florida Senate Incumbent Dorothy Hukill died of cervical cancer on October 2, 2018, just over a month before the election. A six-member panel of Republican Party officials from Brevard and Volusia counties selected Wright as Hukill's replacement.
Because ballots for the November 6, 2018 general election had already been printed by the time Wright was named as Hukill's replacement, his name did not appear on the ballot; instead, votes for Hukill were counted as votes for Wright. Wright was elected with 56.33% of the vote, defeating Democrat Melissa "Mel" Martin.
Potential resignation On April 6, 2020, Wright resigned from the Florida Senate citing a "staff control dispute," but rescinded his resignation the following week to remain in office.
Legislation Wright has sponsored legislation concerning veterans and military families, public safety, aerospace, education, and local government. During his first Senate term, his enacted bills included legislation concerning the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, crimes targeting veterans, and education-related assistance for military families.
In 2021, Wright sponsored Senate Bill 388, which authorized emergency medical technicians and paramedics to provide emergency care to injured police dogs and permitted qualifying emergency vehicles to transport them. The measure became Chapter 2021-119 of the Laws of Florida. Other enacted measures sponsored by Wright during the 2021 and 2022 sessions addressed government use of drones, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, the authority of fire investigators, and the Governor’s Medal of Freedom.
Wright sponsored legislation establishing the Collegiate Purple Star Campuses program in 2023. The program recognizes colleges and universities that provide specified services and support to military-connected students. He also sponsored Senate Bill 1318, which revised Florida law governing liability for commercial spaceflight entities when participants and crew members acknowledge statutory warnings concerning the risks of spaceflight. His other enacted legislation during the 2023–2024 term addressed the confidentiality of judicial assistants’ identifying information and membership requirements for citizen volunteer advisory committees.
In 2025, Wright sponsored Senate Bill 1516, which created the International Aerospace Innovation Fund within Space Florida to support international aerospace-related research, development, and commercialization projects. The bill passed both chambers without opposition and became Chapter 2025-154. He also sponsored the Senate versions of legislation enacted through House companion bills concerning driving and boating offenses and the electronic transmission of certain court orders.
During the 2026 session, Wright sponsored Senate Bill 422, which restricted airports from using data collected through automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast systems to calculate or impose certain aircraft fees. He also sponsored Senate Bill 474, a military-affairs measure addressing military leave—including leave related to Coast Guard service—and provisions of the Florida Retirement System applicable to specified military positions. Senate Bill 1602, also sponsored by Wright, created a pilot program through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation intended to encourage participating property managers to reserve available rental housing for eligible veterans.
Personal life A native of Iowa, Wright moved to Florida in 2004. He lives in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
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