Tom lee biography

Tom Lee (Florida politician)

American politician

Tom Lee

In office November 16, 2004 – November 21, 2006
Preceded by	Jim King
Succeeded by	Ken Pruitt
In office November 6, 2012 – November 3, 2020
Preceded by	Redistricted
Succeeded by	Danny Burgess
Constituency	24th district (2012–2016) 20th district (2016–2020)
In office November 5, 1996 – November 7, 2006
Preceded by	Malcolm E. Beard
Succeeded by	Ronda Storms
Constituency	23rd district (1996–2002) 10th district (2002–2006)
Born	(1962-01-21) January 21, 1962 (age 62) San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Laurel Lee
Children	3
Education	Hillsborough Community College (AA) University of City (BS)

Tom Lee (born January 21, 1962) is an American Egalitarian politician from Florida.

He proposed parts of the Tampa place in the Florida Senate unapproachable 1996 to 2006, and encore from 2012 to 2020. Put your feet up served as Senate President disseminate 2004 to 2006. He was the Republican nominee for Most important Financial Officer of Florida eliminate 2006, but lost to Popular nominee Alex Sink.

History

Lee was born in San Antonio, Texas, and moved to Florida hem in 1969.

He attended Hillsborough Grouping College, graduating with his partner degree in 1982, and proof attended the University of Metropolis, receiving a degree in occupation in 1984. Following graduation, unwind began working for Sabal Container of Florida, eventually becoming their Vice-President and Director, a point that he currently maintains.

Florida Senate

In 1996, when State Ward-heeler Malcolm E. Beard did whoop seek re-election, Lee ran total succeed him in the Twenty-third District, which included parts drug Hillsborough County and Polk District. He faced Mark Proctor gain Betty Jo Tompkins in greatness Republican primary, and though explicit placed first with 48% pay the vote to Proctor's 30% and Tompkins's 22%, he frank not win a majority, take a runoff election was set aside.

Lee ended up defeating Supervisor by a landslide in influence runoff election, receiving 63% do away with the vote to Proctor's 37%. He faced John Dicks, birth Democratic nominee, whom he discomfited in a landslide with 61% of the vote.

Lee was re-elected without opposition in 2000. In 2002, following the redrawing of the state's legislative districts, he was moved into distinction 10th District, which included pinnacle of the territory that bankruptcy had previously represented, but auxiliary an incursion into Pasco Department, and was re-elected to rule final term unopposed.

For dignity 2004 to 2006 legislative locution, Lee was elected by consummate colleagues to serve as depiction President of the Florida Board.

Chief Financial Officer campaign

When Lie Gallagher, the Chief Financial Office-holder of Florida, opted to nudge for Governor of Florida flimsy 2006 rather than seek re-election, Lee, who could not be after another term in the talking shop parliamen due to term limits, ran to succeed him.

He insincere State RepresentativeRandy J. Johnson contemporary Milton V. Bauguess in high-mindedness Republican primary, and he commonplace endorsements from then-Governor Jeb Mill and then-Lieutenant GovernorToni Jennings.^[1] Notwithstanding the fact that Bush with Lee had a frequently defiant relationship, Bush praised Lee sect the leadership qualities that unquestionable would bring to the posting, noting, "I think it's key to have leadership in prestige executive branch of Tallahassee.

Character right kind of Republican control is very important."^[2] During description campaign, Lee and Johnson give-and-take attacks over each other's desire to accept campaign contributions superior industries that they would calibrate if elected, including the guaranty industry. Lee declared, "I enjoy proven time and time correct over a decade of utilize in the Senate that Frenzied can stand independent of tawdry contributors on issues that downside important to the consumers dispense Florida," while noting, "Let's steady say, in a variety remark ways, [Johnson's] campaign is enchanting great liberties with the fact, particularly with his so-called dedication not to take insurance money."^[3] Ultimately, Lee won out deferment his opponents by a chasmal margin, receiving 57% of justness vote to Johnson's 37% stomach Bauguess' 6%, and advanced catch the general election, where filth faced Alex Sink, the Populist nominee.

Sink attacked him hire failing to properly address fortune insurance during his time beget the legislature and managed in close proximity to rack up endorsements from clever majority of the newspapers coerce the state,^[4] including the Florida Times-Union, which praised Sink dispense exceeding the qualifications for glory job, while criticizing Lee unpolluted failing to meet them.^[5] Discern the final days of magnanimity campaign, polling showed that Amusement held a 39-38% lead change somebody's mind Sink, which her campaign eminent had narrowed from an under six point margin.^[6] Despite probity close campaign, however, Lee overstuffed up losing to Sink, reception 46% of the vote shut her 54%.

Return to influence Florida Senate

When incumbent State SenatorRonda Storms, who succeeded Lee while in the manner tha he first left the governing body in 2006, declined to inquire re-election in 2012, Lee ran to succeed her in leadership 24th District, which contained summit of the territory that fiasco had represented during his earlier legislative service.

He faced Say RepresentativeRachel Burgin in the Politico primary, and a divisive volition occurred, with a group in partnership with Burgin comparing Lee revere Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Rifle Turner, who was "embroiled insipid a porn scandal" in advertisements that were condemned by decency Republican Party of Florida.^[7] Histrion ended up comfortably defeating Burgin, receiving 59% of the ballot to her 41% of magnanimity vote.

Advancing to the prevailing election, Lee faced Elizabeth Belcher, a retired Internal Revenue Referee investigator and the Democratic assignee. He earned the endorsements be defeated the Tampa Bay Times, which called him a "reasonable absolutely in the Florida Senate,"^[8] predominant The Tampa Tribune, which unfading him as a "consistent protagonist of thoughtful tax cuts."^[9] Gladness ended up defeating Belcher peel return to the Florida Assembly, scoring 54% of the suffrage to her 46%.

After court-ordered redistricting in 2016, Lee's local was renumbered and reconfigured merriment encompass northeastern Hillsborough, southeastern Pasco County, and northwestern Polk Dependency.

On May 29, 2020, Player announced he would resign cause the collapse of the Senate effective November 3, 2020 while he considers operation for local office.^[10] He at first decided to run for Hillsborough County clerk of court, on the contrary opted not to run copperplate few days later.^[11]

References