Candidate Profile: Florida House of Representatives: Keith Fitzgerald

State House District 69   

Candidate: Keith Fitzgerald (Incumbent)

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Age: 53

Residence: Sarasota County

Occupation: College professor of political science at New College of Florida since 1994

Annual Income: Not stated

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Education: Keith holds a B.A. from the University of Louisville (1979), and a Ph.D. from Indiana University (1987).

During his time in office, Keith Fitzgerald has proven himself a true leader amongst issues of the rights of Florida citizens.

"Over the past two years I have opposed offshore drilling off our Florida waters and I will continue to do this," said Fitgerald. 

Since being first elected to represent State House District 69 in 2006, Fitzgerald has fought for issues such as election reform, smart growth, affordable housing, and environmental conservation. 

"The economy is one of the biggest problems facing Florida, and the job picture is also very bad," stated Fitzgerald.  "We need to address and encourage growth and alternative energy.  I have tackled these problems and fought for tax cuts to encourage job growth and supported economic measured that have passed through the House."

Having served on the Economic Expansion and Infrastructure Council and the Environmental Protection Committee, Fitzgerald has also been appointed Deputy Policy Chair for the House Democratic Caucus and is the Democratic Ranking Member on the Ethics and Elections Committee. 

As a husband, father of two, and college professor, Fitzgerald has researched and taught politics his whole life and has become an expert in the study of the evolution of political life in the United States.  Prior to his 2006 election, the current college professor held such leadership positions as service on the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates, the Board of Trustees of New College of Florida, and the Sarasota City Charter Review Board. 

His district includes the northern half of Sarasota County and a small portion of Manatee County.