Former FSU president John Thrasher under treatment for cancer, his firm announces
Former state lawmaker and retired Florida State University president John Thrasher is "battling cancer," his lobbying firm announced April 22 on social media.
"Our prayers and best wishes go out to John Thrasher today, a founding partner in this firm and one of Florida's most storied public servants in this century," The Southern Group said in a post on X.
"John is battling cancer and is currently at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare where he is receiving treatment," it added. "His amazing public record of accomplishment — House Speaker, Senator, FSU President — often obscures his private greatness as a friend and mentor.
"He is a fighter, and he has the love and support of the entire TSG family."
Thrasher rejoined the firm after retiring from the presidency of FSU, where he served 2014-21. He was later replaced by current President Richard McCullough.
Thrasher, a longtime Republican who came to power when the GOP began its takeover of state government in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was Florida House speaker and a state senator. He was a partner with The Southern Group 2001-09 before being elected to the Senate.
'I'm not going to be lobbying, per se, mostly working in client development and working with existing clients, not the Legislature,' Thrasher told the Tallahassee Democrat in a 2021 interview when he rejoined The Southern Group.
Thrasher also is listed as a professor at Florida State's College of Law.
Requests for comment are pending with the university and the Florida House.
'John Thrasher has been a fighter his whole life," Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said in a statement on behalf of himself and his wife Missy. "He fought for our country in Vietnam, earning a battlefield commission and two bronze stars. He fought for and won the Republican Revolution in Florida. He fought for FSU as their biggest fan and advocate.
"Speaker of the House, the Lion of the Senate, and Chair of the RPOF, he fought for school choice, parental rights, and so much more," he added. "I know he's running to this fight. Given his track record, I'd say the odds are in his favor. Missy and I praying for John, Jean (Thrasher, his wife) and the entire family.'
Thrasher served in the House from 1992 to 2000, the final two years as speaker. He was chair of the Senate Rules Committee and chaired of former Gov. Rick Scott's reelection campaign. Thrasher was nominated for the FSU presidency by Sandy D'Alemberte, a Democrat who was president of the university 1994–2003.
He was president during the November 2014 shooting on the school's Tallahassee campus. Myron May, 31, went into the university's Strozier Library just after midnight and opened fire, injuring three before he was quickly shot and killed in a hail of bullets by Tallahassee and FSU police.
John Thrasher looks back on challenges, changes as he leaves Florida State presidency
'We need you now more than ever': FSU's Thrasher presides over his final commencement
Moments that best exemplify John Thrasher's leadership at FSU, as told by those who know him
Key dates during the John Thrasher tenure at Florida State University
This is a breaking news story and may be updated.
Byron Dobson of the Tallahassee Democrat and the News Service of Florida contributed background. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network's Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jrosica@tallahassee.com. Follow him on X: @JimRosicaFL.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Retired FSU president John Thrasher 'battling cancer,' his firm says
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