Spouse Katie Ingram Role U.S. Representative | Succeeded by Dennis Ross Name Bill Posey Children Pam Posey, Cathi Posey | |
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Office Representative (R-FL 8th District) since 2013 Previous office Representative (FL 15th District) 2009–2013 Similar People Dennis A Ross, Daniel Webster, Curt Clawson, Vern Buchanan, Dave Weldon Profiles | ||
U.S. Representative District 8 candidate interview, clip 2
U.S. Representative District 8 candidate interview, clip 6
William Joseph Posey (born December 18, 1947) is the U.S. Representative for Florida's 8th congressional district, serving in Congress since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He formerly served in the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives.
Contents
- US Representative District 8 candidate interview clip 2
- US Representative District 8 candidate interview clip 6
- Early life education and business career
- Florida legislature
- Elections
- Committee assignments
- References
Early life, education, and business career
Posey was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Beatrice (née Tohl) and Walter J. Posey. His mother's family immigrated from Russia and is of Jewish heritage. Posey moved to Florida in 1956 as his father took a job in engineering with McDonnell Douglas, working on the Delta rocket. In 1969, he graduated from Brevard Community College with an Associate of Arts degree.
He got a job with McDonnell Douglas, and did Apollo Space Program work at Kennedy Space Center till he was laid off. From 1974 to 1976, Bill Posey worked on the Rockledge Planning Commission. In 1976, he was elected as a member of the City Council, and from 1986 to 1992, he was a member of the Brevard County Business and Industrial Development Commission. Posey then founded his own real estate company in the 1970s. He later became director of the state Association of Realtors. While serving in local politics, he also became a researcher on government accountability and transparency.
Florida legislature
In 2006, Posey authored Activity Based Total Accountability, which outlines his suggestions for improving American politics.
While serving in the state legislature, Posey was a chief sponsor of a bill designed to modernize the Florida election process, in response to the 2000 presidential election controversy. He also worked to revise insurance policy, so as to aid hurricane victims.
Elections
In 2008, Posey ran to replace retiring U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon, who had occupied the 15th District seat since 1995, when the district first voted Republican. He was opposed by Democrat Stephen Blythe, and the independent, libertarian leaning Frank Zilaitis. Posey won with 53% of the vote, defeating his closest challenger, Blythe, by 11%.
Posey won re-election against former NASA executive and public administrator Shannon Roberts.
Posey won re-election with nearly 60% of the vote against Democratic nominee Shannon Roberts and non-partisan candidate Richard Gillmor.
Posey won re-election with 65.84% of the vote against Democratic candidate Gabriel Rothblatt.
Posey won re-election with 63.11% of the vote against Democratic candidate Corry Westbrook.