Ric Keller



Richard Keller, a Republican, represented the 8th District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives between 2001-2009. He was defeated by Alan Grayson (D) in the November 2008 general election.

Iraq War
Keller voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Term-limit pledge
Keller pledged to serve no more than three terms in Congress during his initial campaign in 2000. He broke the pledge, however, when he opted to seek a fourth term in 2006. 

(See Congresspedia page on term limits in Congress)

Bio
Keller was born in Johnson City, Tennessee on September 5,1964. He was educated at East Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University, and was a lawyer before entering the House.

Keller is the author of "The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act" a bill that passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming, bi-partisan margin. The so-called "Cheeseburger Bill" prohibits lawsuits by obese customers who blame restaurants, supermarkets, and grocery manufactures for their overconsumption of food. On October 18, 2005, Keller was hospitalized in Orlando, Florida, after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia. He recovered, though he missed the vote on his Cheeseburger Bill. The bill passed the House without his vote, but floundered in the Senate.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Charlie Stuart to challenge Keller in his November 2006 bid for reelection. In addition, Wesley Hoaglund entered the race as an independent candidate. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Keller retained his seat.

Money in politics
cid=N00009614&cycle=2008

Committees

 * House Committee on Education & Labor
 * Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
 * Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness -Ranking
 * House Committee on the Judiciary
 * Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law
 * Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property

More Background Data

 * 2006 Florida CD 8 Candidate List from VIS

Contact
DC Office: 419 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2176 Fax: 202-225-0999 Web Email Website

District Office- Eustis: 301 West Ward Avenue Eustis, FL 32726 Phone: 888-642-1211 Fax: 407-872-1944

District Office- Ocala: 3330 Southeast Maricamp Road Ocala, FL 34471 Phone: 888-642-1211 Fax: 407-872-1944

District Office- Orlando: 605 East Robinson Street, Suite 650 Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: 407-872-1962 TollFree: 888-642-1211 Fax: 407-872-1944

External resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Unofficial wiki
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Fla Politics
 * Can't Keep Quiet

External articles

 * Greg Sargent, "Another GOP Rep. Comes Out Against Escalation," TPM Cafe, February 14, 2007.
 * Jonathan Weisman, "Bush losing Republicans over plan for Iraq war," Washington Post (The Seattle Times), February 15, 2007.
 * David Espo, "GOP Opposition to Bush Plan Forms," Associated Press (ABC News), February 15, 2007.
 * Jeff Zeleny,"12 Republicans Break Ranks on Iraq Resolution," New York Times, February 15, 2007.
 * Mark K. Matthews, "Hearings sway Keller on troop buildup," Orlando Sentinel, September 12, 2007: "Conservative bloggers lambasted him after his anti-surge vote, and a pro-war group called Freedom's Watch recently launched a $15 million series of ads targeting borderline lawmakers such as Keller."