Ric Keller

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Ric Keller

United States Representative from Florida's 8th district
In office 2001-present
Preceded by	Bill McCollum
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	September 5, 1964 Johnson City, Tennessee
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Kathy Keller
Religion	Methodist

Richard "Ric" Keller (born September 5, 1964) is an American politician, and has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing the 8th District of Florida (map). He was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, was educated at East Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University, and was a lawyer before entering the House.

On October 18, 2005, Keller was hospitalized in Orlando, Florida, after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia. He was driving his car and blacked out and hit another car in a parking lot. He has been told by his doctor not to drive for 6 months.

[edit] Campaign History

Main article: Florida U.S. House election, 2006

Richard Keller has successfully campaigned for and held his seat for 3 terms.

2000 was a very competitive race. Early on Keller came in second place during the primary with 31% of the vote vs. fellow Republican Bill Sublette's 43% but he went on to capture the Republican nomination with 52% during the run-off election. Largely due to his public signing of a terms limits pledge that Mr. Sublette refused to sign. Keller conducted a major advertising effort to inform voters of the candidates' term limits positions. Keller signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge committing to serving no more than eight years in the U.S. House. In the 2000 General Election he won with 51% of the vote against Democrat Linda Chapin.

After the 2001 Congressional Re-apportionment Floridas 8th District was redistricted from a near equal representation to one which includes 7% more Republicans than Democrats.

Rick Keller readily won the 2002 Congressional Race against Democrat Eddie Diaz with 65% of the vote.

In 2004 Keller held his seat with 60% of the vote against Democrat challenger Stephen Murray.

Keller defeated Democrat challenger Charlie Stuart in 2006, the first strong and well-funded candidate to face Keller since his election in 2000.

Todd Long a prominent Orlando attorney and conservative radio talkshow host announced his candidacy to replace Ric Keller’s vacant seat due to Mr. Keller’s term limits pledge.

Shortly after Mr. Long’s announcement Rep. Keller announced he would not be honoring his term limits pledge.

The race is off to an early start for 2008 and is already grabbing the attention of the national media including the New York Times.