About Morgan Bentley

Morgan Bentley, a 17-year resident of Sarasota, is running for the Florida Senate to bring a fresh perspective and independent leadership to the challenges facing our state.

Although this is Morgan’s first run for political office, he is no stranger to public service. The importance of serving the community was instilled in Morgan at an early age, through his family’s example. Morgan’s grandfather served as the President of the Florida Bar Association; his late father, the Honorable E. Randolph Bentley, served as a judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit, and his mother Didi taught math at Lakeland Senior High, where Morgan attended.

Morgan has a long and distinguished record of public service. Morgan has spent his legal career prosecuting those who have committed fraud, and is the President of the Sarasota Bar Association. He has been recognized by the Florida Supreme Court for his outstanding pro bono legal work, and in 2008 was selected for the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. He has also served his community as past chair of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce School Issues Committee, as well as president of Legal Aid of Manasota, an organization devoted to providing legal assistance to the indigent in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Small wonder, then, that in July of 2007 Florida Trend magazine named Morgan one of their “Legal Up-and-Comers.”

Born and raised in Lakeland, Morgan is a third generation Floridian who has watched his state grow and undergo tremendous changes over the years, and feels passionate about playing his part in helping to guide its future. He attended the University of Florida as an undergraduate, receiving his B.A. in economics with a minor in history. He also earned his J.D. at UF before moving to Sarasota in 1992, where he took his first job as a young lawyer. He is now a partner at Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen.

Morgan Bentley is a Democrat running for the District 23 state senate seat vacated by Lisa Carlton (R-Osprey). He and his wife Liz have two children Dabney, 5 and Blaine, 2.