Fentrice Driskell , who has led Democrats in the Florida House since 2022, has decided to run for the Florida Senate.The term-limited state representative from Tampa announced she’s seeking the District 16 seat currently held by Democrat Darryl Rouson . (Rouson, too, is term-limited.) “Our state faces significant challenges, and I am ready to bring my dedication and experience to the State Senate to ensure all Floridians have the opportunity to thrive,” Driskell said in a news release.Her announcement ends years of speculation about Driskell’s political future. The Harvard-educated lawyer was rumored to be considering a run for governor or attorney general before ultimately deciding on a state Senate bid.The deep blue seat, one of 40 Senate seats in the state, covers south St. Petersburg, southeast Hillsborough County and much of the city of Tampa.The House minority leader has led Democrats during a low point for the party. With Republicans holding a supermajority in her chamber, Driskell has been powerless to stop many high-profile priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis opposed by Democrats.However, the release noted some legislative wins, including legislation to protect lost and abandoned Black cemeteries. Driskell joins fellow Democrat Michele Rayner , another attorney and one of the most outspoken members of the House, in the race. Both are history makers: In 2020, Rayner became the first queer Black woman to win a state House seat. Driskell is the first Black woman to lead the Florida House Democratic caucus. Republican Amaro Lionheart has also filed to run, state filings show.