Longtime AP Florida politics reporter Brendan Farrington dies at 60

Brendan Farrington, a veteran AP reporter who covered Florida politics, hurricanes and quirky stories for more than 25 years, has died at 60

He died Friday at his home in Tallahassee following a brief illness, according to family friend Steve Schale

He was based in Tallahassee and known for being well-sourced, fair, kind and trusted by politicians on both sides of the aisle

He began his career at The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1988, joined the AP in Miami in the late 1990s and transferred to Tallahassee in 2001

1988: Farrington began his career as a general assignment reporter at The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, Massachusetts · late 1990s: Farrington joined the AP in Miami · 2001: Farrington transferred to the AP bureau in Tallahassee · 2011: Farrington reported on Mike Haridopolos receiving $152,000 in taxpayer money for a book project · 2021: DeSantis press secretary was suspended from Twitter after criticizing Farrington's reporting on a donor's COVID drug investment · January 2025: Farrington left the AP after accepting a voluntary buyout · Friday: Farrington died at his home in Tallahassee following a brief illness

60 age at death · 25+ years at AP · 1988 year career began · 2001 year transferred to Tallahassee · $152,000 taxpayer money received