MEETChris
Born in Dunedin, Chris spent many years during his childhood going to Kelly's in Dunedin for breakfast, Dave and Bubba's in Palm Harbor, and Mykonos in Tarpon Springs. Fishing with his dad, and attending birthday parties at Celebration Station are also some of the great memories he has growing up in Pinellas. Most importantly growing up here grew his lifelong love of baseball while attending Blue Jays Spring training games. The World Series years of 1992-1993 are some of his best childhood memories and gave him heroes like Joe Carter. He went on to attend the University of Central Florida, then after graduation moved back to the Tampa Bay area, and has lived and worked in Pinellas County for 14 years.
Having always been active in the political world for most of his life, starting with helping his dad campaign for Senate as a child, he began working on politics after graduation, Then he wanted the chance to make a difference himself and first ran for the Florida House in 2014 to represent Clearwater and Largo. In that time Representative Latvala has made a substantial impact on the lives of Floridians, and close to home, here in Pinellas. He has been a strong advocate for teachers, increasing opportunities to access education, protection for minors, an advocate for law enforcement, and vocal about the rights of mobile homeowners. Among his many accomplishments in Tallahassee, include an unprecedented raise for teachers in 2020, and legislation that was long fought for, to enhance the child welfare system in Florida in honor of a young constituent, Jordan Belliveau, who was murdered by his mother in 2018.
A tireless advocate for Pinellas County, Chris is a member of the 2014 Leadership Pinellas class and has served on the board of multiple local charities including PACE Center for Girls and Boys and Girls Club. He has also continued the family tradition of organizing the community farm share to distribute food to families in need here in Pinellas.
Chirs was reelected to House District 67 in 2016-2020, and has continued to serve the district honorably.
He works professionally as a consultant and is a small business owner.