Joe Harding

Joe Harding (born June 18, 1987) is an American politician and businessman who was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2020 until his resignation in 2022. A member of the Republican Party, Harding is most well known for introducing the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly known by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" act.

For the cheesemaker, see Joseph Harding.
Joe Harding
Harding at the 2022 Hazlitt Summit hosted by Young Americans for Liberty Foundation
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 22nd district
In office
November 3, 2020 – December 8, 2022
Preceded byCharlie Stone
Succeeded byRyan Chamberlin
Personal details
Born (1987-06-18) June 18, 1987
Williston, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAmanda Harding
Children4

Early life and education

Harding was born and raised in Williston, Florida. He studied construction management at the College of Central Florida and Florida International University, but left both schools without receiving a degree.[1]

Career

Harding worked as a project manager in the construction industry for several years before founding Stripes Lawn Care in 2018. Harding was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2020.[2][3] He was a member of the House Education & Employment Committee.[4]

In 2021, Harding introduced the controversial Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, prohibiting teachers from discussing LGBT related topics in Kindergarten through 3rd grade school classrooms in Florida.[5][6] In 2022, Harding offered an amendment to the bill requiring public schools to out gay children to their parents once the schools learn that the child is not heterosexual, which was later withdrawn.[7] The legislation has widely been opposed, garnering criticism from President Joe Biden, the United Nations Human Rights Council through an independent expert, and numerous human rights organizations.[8][9]

Federal indictment

On December 7, 2022, Harding was indicted by a federal grand jury on six counts of wire fraud and money laundering related to a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration of more than $150,000 in COVID-19-related small business loans. Harding was released on bond and has lost his committee assignments for the upcoming legislative term.[10] Harding resigned on December 8, 2022.[11]

A trial was scheduled to begin on January 11, 2023, in Gainesville, Florida.[12] On March 21, 2023, Harding pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of making false statements.[13] In October 2023, he was sentenced to 4 months in federal prison, with 2 years of supervised release and a $300 fine.[14]

References
  1. "Joe Harding". myfloridahouse.gov.
  2. "Joe Harding brings agriculture background, law enforcement support to HD 22 race". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. August 4, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  3. Laude, Julia (November 4, 2020). "Republican Joe Harding wins State House District 22 race". wcjb.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  4. "Joe Harding". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  5. "CS/CS/HB 1557 (2022) - Parental Rights in Education | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  6. "Lawmaker Pulls Amendment to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" Bill That Would Force Teachers to Out Students". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  7. "Amendment to Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill would force schools to out students in 6 weeks". WFLA. February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  8. "'Don't Say Gay': Biden denounces 'hateful' new Florida bill". BBC News. February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  9. Lee, Lloyd. "A UN expert was 'extremely concerned' that LGBTQ rights are being stripped away at the state level after his 10-day visit to the US". Insider. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  10. Schorsch, Peter (December 7, 2022). "Joe Harding indicted on wire fraud, money laundering charges". Florida Politics. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  11. Ellenbogen, Romy (December 8, 2022). "State Rep. Joe Harding resigns after federal indictment for wire fraud". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  12. Mazzei, Patricia (December 8, 2022). "Florida Lawmaker Charged With Pandemic Aid Fraud". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  13. Former state Rep. Joe Harding pleads guilty to 3 charges; at the Tampa Bay Times; published March 22, 2023; retrieved March 22, 2023
  14. Morgan, Silas. "Former Republican lawmaker Joe Harding of Ocala sentenced to 4 months in prison". Gainesville Sun.
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