| Adam Putnam | |
|---|---|
| 11th Florida Commissioner of Agriculture | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2011 |
|
| Governor | Rick Scott |
| Preceded by | Charles H. Bronson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 12th district |
|
| In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Charles Canady |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Ross |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 31, 1974 Bartow, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Melissa Putnam |
| Alma mater | University of Florida |
Adam H. Putnam (born July 31, 1974) is the current Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and the former U.S. Representative for Florida's 12th congressional district, serving from 2001 until 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.
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Putnam was born in Bartow, Florida. He graduated from Bartow High School and attended the University of Florida, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in food and resource economics.
While at the University of Florida, Putnam was a brother of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Putnam also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000.
In February 2006, Putnam became a member of the House leadership, assuming the role of chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, the fifth-ranking Republican leadership position in the House. In November 2006, Putnam was elected by his colleagues as House Republican Conference Chairman, the third-highest ranking position.[1] Following House Republican losses in the 2008 general election, Putnam resigned his post as Conference Chairman.[2] In 2010 The Florida Independent reported that Putnam had earmarked $100,000 for an abscission chemical used in citrus harvesting that The Florida Independent said would benefit his family's citrus business.[3]
Putnam describes himself as one of Congress's leading supporters of developmental education for children from low-income families and is the author of the Head Start Accountability Bill. Putnam is also the co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.
He was the youngest member of Congress when he took office in 2001 at age 26, just one year after becoming constitutionally eligible. In 2005, Patrick McHenry, a year younger than Putnam and a Southern Republican, was elected to Congress. However, McHenry was 29 at his inauguration. Thus, Putnam's inauguration at 26 represents a minimum for the current members of Congress.
Putnam is a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[4]
After the numerous calls by Democrats, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), Putnam became the top Republican in either House to call for the ouster of former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. "For the good of the nation, I think it is time for fresh leadership at the Department of Justice," Putnam said.[5]
This move was met with surprise by many Republicans, who were remaining silent on the Gonzales issue. However, Putnam mentioned that there remained severe discontent within the GOP circle over Gonzales and as the Chairman of the House Republican Conference, he thought that it was important to send this message out.
In February 2009, Putnam declared himself a candidate for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture in the 2010 election and that he would complete his 5th term in Congress.[6] Putnam won the election over Democratic opponent Scott Maddox with 56% of the vote.
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Charles T. Canady |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 12th congressional district 2001–2011 |
Succeeded by Dennis Ross |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by John Shadegg Arizona |
Chairman of House Republican Policy Committee 2006–2007 |
Succeeded by Thad McCotter Michigan |
| Preceded by Deborah Pryce Ohio |
Chairman of House Republican Conference 2007–2009 |
Succeeded by Mike Pence Indiana |
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