John Thrasher (Florida politician)

John Thrasher
Thrasher in 2009
15th President of Florida State University
In office
November 10, 2014  August 15, 2021
Preceded byEric J. Barron
Succeeded byRichard McCullough
Member of the Florida Senate
In office
October 7, 2009  November 7, 2014
Preceded byJim King
Succeeded byTravis Hutson
Constituency8th district (2009–2012)
6th district (2012–2014)
Chair of the Republican Party of Florida
In office
February 2010  January 2011
Preceded byJim Greer
Succeeded byDavid Bitner
90th Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
In office
November 17, 1998  November 21, 2000
Preceded byDaniel Webster
Succeeded byTom Feeney
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 19th district
In office
1992–2000
Preceded byJoseph "Joe" Arnall
Succeeded byDick Kravitz
Personal details
Born(1943-12-18)December 18, 1943
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedMay 30, 2025(2025-05-30) (aged 81)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJean Thrasher
Children3
Alma materFlorida State University (BS, JD)
Profession
  • Politician
  • attorney
  • businessman
  • lobbyist
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1966–1970
RankCaptain
Battles/warsVietnam War
Awards

John E. Thrasher (December 18, 1943 – May 30, 2025) was an American politician and state legislator in Florida. He was a businessman, lawyer, and lobbyist who served as the 15th president of Florida State University. He was approved by the Florida Board of Governors on November 6, 2014, and took office on November 10, 2014. On September 11, 2020, Thrasher and the university board of trustees announced his retirement in a joint statement. In May 2021, Richard McCullough was chosen by Florida State University's board of trustees to succeed Thrasher.