Massullo made Citrus look good

Here’s what to know about Rep. Ralph Massullo:

My politics and his do not align.
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That’s not surprising. Massullo totes the GOP company line from the governor on down, he embraces former President Donald Trump, and I cringe every time Ralph mentions “woke” in a speech.

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At last year's chamber of commerce lunch, when Ralph gave the annual legislative update, he took Gov. Ron DeSantis’ side in the governor's fight against Disney. Everyone in the room saw it only as a heavy-handed government punishing an outspoken business, but not Massullo.

So, no, I’d say the representative and I do not share the same political values.

But if you’re a reader of this space, you know that’s not how I view politicians.

It’s all about integrity.

Massullo served Citrus County for eight years in the House. Eight years! Now, to be fair, that wasn’t his plan. Massullo hoped to serve six years and then get elected to the state Senate.

Politics interfered in 2022, and Massullo instead was easily elected to a final term.

That’s not my Massullo story, though.

I knew the name, but not the face, when Massullo decided to run in 2016. His mentor was Richard Corcoran, then the Speaker of the House, who has Citrus County ties.

Massullo got that rare first-timer gift — the unopposed election. He was easily re-elected three times.

State rep is an odd job. We’re not really sure what to expect. The state government is a million miles away from Citrus County, and they speak another language in Tallahassee. 

I attended JJ Grow’s campaign kickoff a few weeks ago. Ralph was there to endorse JJ to succeed him, as was Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Sen. Blaise Ingoglia. They said the normal political things you’d expect. Nothing that stands out.

About 400 people showed up to give JJ’s campaign a boost. That’s a nice turnout on a warm spring night in Lecanto.

State rep isn’t a job for the change-the-world types. There is no world-changing state government. It’s all very organized, very tight, in a methodical top-down approach that rewards consistency and relationships.

Ralph didn’t change the world in his eight years. But he held the standard for Citrus County very well, always making sure our needs were being heard.

I have two Ralph Massullo stories. Neither is political.

Ralph sent me a very encouraging text the day of my retirement from the Chronicle. It was one of the nicest, most sincere notes any elected official has ever given me. I cherish the sentiment.

The other takes a little time.

Ralph is, as we know, Dr. Massullo the dermatologist. I had a basal cell cancer that needed to be removed and so off to Massullo’s office I went.

The surgery went well but left a nasty bandage on my cheek as I headed to Tallahassee for Citrus County Legislative Days.

Now. I have this thing about politicians and their real jobs. I don’t mix them up. Commissioner Jeff Kinnard, for example, is my chiropractor. When he’s cracking my back, we’re not talking about the sheriff’s MSTU.

I respect that while on Massullo’s turf in Tallahassee, it’s Rep. Massullo, not Dr. Massullo.

Imagine my genuine delight when, while in Tallahassee that year, Massullo sent me a text asking how I was doing. He wanted me to send photos of my cheek to make sure it was healing properly. He discreetly pulled me aside at dinner to see if I had any questions about the recovery.

That’s the kind of man Ralph Massullo is. He cares for others. He’s one with our community.

Ralph spoke at the chamber lunch on Friday, and I was a little disappointed to hear the standard boilerplate Session wrap-up speech. I would have liked to hear him reflect on eight years in office, representing our interests and concerns.

Unsure what Ralph’s future looks like. I’m guessing he’d like to stay in state politics in some fashion. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his name on a ballot again.

Ralph Massullo served us quite well in the Legislature. He’s brought home the bacon for needed projects and didn’t do anything to embarrass us.

Well done, faithful servant.

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