About Johnnie Byrd

Johnnie was a Repubican Florida State Representative in Tallahassee from 1996 until 2004, and served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2004. Known for his anti-tax, pro-life, small-government philosophy Johnnie earned the praise of conservatives and freedom lovers along with the distinction of being public enemy number one of the Left, the Florida daily papers, lobbyists, and anyone else who was fearful of an effective conservative.

In real life, Johnnie is a ‘country lawyer’ with the law firm of Byrd & Barnhill in Plant City, Florida where he enjoys a litigation practice representing clients in cases involving auto accidents, personal injury and wrongful death, family law, criminal defense and commercial litigation.

Born and raised in South Alabama near Pensacola Florida, he earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Auburn University and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama. Byrd has been a member of the Alabama and Florida bar associations for over thirty years.

Johnnie is the founder and a member of the board of the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer’s Institute at the University of South Florida.

Byrd is a past president of the Plant City Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Plant City Rotary Club.

Speaker Byrd and Melane are active members of the First Baptist Church of Plant City where Johnnie has served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Johnnie and his wife Melane have four children, Lt. Melane Anne Byrd, a naval aviator; Sherer Falardeau, a graduate of the University of Florida and nursing student at the U. of West Florida; Amanda Byrd a graduate of the U. of Florida and graduate student at the U. of South Florida; and Bryars Byrd a recent graduate of Plant City H.S. and entering freshman at USF. The Byrd's son-in-law, Lt. J.P. Falardeau is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is now serving as a US Navy flight instructor at the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Johnnie Byrd’s firm belief in less government, less taxes and more personal freedom brought him high marks and honors from business, pro-family and conservative organizations. The following reflect some of the recognition afforded Speaker Byrd over the years for championing these values:

• Speaker Byrd was one of only 40 State Representatives and State Senators to receive “Top Forty” legislator status from the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
• Speaker Byrd received a perfect 100% rating from the Christian Coalition of Floridareceived its “Friend of the Family” award.
• Byrd received the NFIB-Guardian of Small Business Award for a 100% voting Record on issues concerning small businesses.
• Johnnie was presented with the Legislative Appreciation award by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for outstanding support to Floridadisabled veterans.
• Speaker Byrd received the NRA “Defender of Freedom Award” in 2004 for outstanding leadership in the preservation of 2nd Amendment rights.
• Byrd received the 2003 Thomas Jefferson Award for protection of Florida taxpayers.