TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Florida Politicians are expressing their thoughts on the former Florida House Speaker who left a legacy in Tallahassee.

Well many of the lawmakers in office Wednesday said Donald L. Tucker was their inspiration.

Senator Bill Montford remembers Speaker Tucker as a great bi-partisan leader for the state of Florida and the kind of person you'd like to sit down and have a cup of coffee with and speak about issues that Floridians face.

"If you look back at all of the former speakers we've had in the house, I'd rank him at the top," said Montford. "He was just a really outstanding man. He was what a lot of people call a "common man" yet he had a very, very raw perspective of Florida."

Tucker represented Tallahassee in the Florida House from 1966 through 1978. He was Speaker of the House for the last four of those years.

Former Florida House Speaker Donald L. Tucker has died at 84.

We've learned that Tucker died Tuesday night.

Tucker represented Tallahassee in the Florida House from 1966 through 1978 and was the last legislator to preside over the chamber for two terms.

We'll have more on this story tonight at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.