Dennis A. Ross

Not to be confused with the diplomat Dennis Ross.
Dennis Ross
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 15th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded by Bill Posey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 12th district
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by Adam Putnam
Succeeded by Gus Bilirakis
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 63rd district
In office
2000–2009
Preceded by Adam Putnam
Succeeded by Kelli Stargel
Personal details
Born Dennis Alan Ross
(1959-10-18) October 18, 1959
Lakeland, Florida, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Cindy Ross
Alma mater University of Florida
Auburn University
Samford University
Religion Presbyterianism

Dennis Alan Ross (born October 18, 1959) is an American politician who has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 2011. A Republican from Florida, his district was numbered as Florida's 12th congressional district during his first two years in Congress; it has been the 15th district since 2013.

Early life, education, and business career

Ross was born October 18, 1959 in Lakeland, Florida, the youngest of five children born to Bill and Loyola Ross.[1] He attended Catholic school for nine years before graduating at Lakeland Senior High School in 1977. After high school, he attended the University of Florida before transferring to Auburn University where he graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management. He then graduated from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law in 1987.[2]

Ross went to work in the newly developed micro-computer industry working for several companies. He went on to serve briefly as an Associate with the law firm of Holland & Knight and was in-house counsel to Walt Disney World. Subsequent to his time at Disney, he opened up his own law firm representing Business and Industry in Workers Compensation matters for over 20 years.

Early political career

Ross went on to work for a year as a legislative aide in St. Petersburg to State Senator Dennis Jones in 1982. He was elected Chairman of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee, and served until 1995. In 1996, he ran unsuccessfully for the State Senate, losing to incumbent Democrat State Senator Rick Dantzler. In 2000, he ran for the 63rd district of the Florida House of Representatives, vacated by Adam Putnam.[3]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

Ross decided to run for Florida's 12th congressional district, vacated for retiring Adam Putnam, who decided to run for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. In the Republican primary, Ross defeated John W. Lindsey, Jr. 69%–31%.[4] In the general election, he defeated Democrat Lori Edwards, the Polk County Supervisor of Elections, TEA Party candidate Randy Wilkinson, a Polk County Commissioner, 48%–41%–11%.[5] This was the second time Ross succeeded Putnam.[6]

In 2009 Ross signed a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity promising to vote against any Global Warming legislation that would raise taxes.[7]

2012

After redistricting, Ross decided to run in the newly redrawn Florida's 15th congressional district.[8] Because no other candidate qualified to run against him by the deadline, he won re-election to a second term unopposed.[9][10]

Committee assignments

References

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Adam Putnam		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 12th congressional district
2011–2013 		Succeeded by
Gus Bilirakis
Preceded by
Bill Posey		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 15th congressional district
2013–present 		Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Todd Rokita		 United States Representatives by seniority
280th 		Succeeded by
David Schweikert
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