George Gainer

George Gainer is a Republican politician who has served as a member of the Florida Senate since 2016. He represents the 2nd district, encompassing Bay, Holmes, Jackson, Walton, Washington, and part of Okaloosa Counties, in the Florida Panhandle. He previously served as a Bay County commissioner, representing Tyndall AFB and other parts of southern Bay County, from 1968 to 1972 and 2002 to 2016.

Gainer was born in Jackson County and attended Gulf Coast Community College. His career in the automobile business began in 1966 and he is currently owner of Bay Lincoln Mercury Dodge Hyundai, Bay Suzuki, and Bay Ford in Blountstown. He is a member of the Panama City New Car Dealers Association and past officer of the Chrysler and Ford Dealer and Advertising Councils. In 1968, at age 24, he became the youngest person elected to the Bay County Commission. Gainer then took time off to develop his businesses, and returned to the commission in 2002.

On September 8, 2015 Gainer announced his campaign for a Florida Senate district being vacated by Don Gaetz, who was term-limited. Gaetz's son Matt Gaetz was in the race for the seat too, but withdrew on March 21, 2016 to run for Florida's 1st congressional district after Congressman Jeff Miller announced his retirement. Gainer was elected in 2016 without primary or general election opposition.