Adam Putnam

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Adam Putnam
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Charles Canady
Born	July 31, 1974 (1974-07-31) (age 34) Bartow, Florida
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Melissa Putnam
Residence	Bartow, Florida
Alma mater	University of Florida
Occupation	farmer
Religion	Episcopalian

Adam H. Putnam (born July 31, 1974) is an American politician who has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing Florida's 12th congressional district. 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.^[1]

[edit] Early life and education

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. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1996 to 2000.

[edit] U.S. Congress

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.^[2] Following House Republican losses in the 2008 general election, Putnam resigned his post as Conference Chairman.^[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.

Putnam is currently the third-youngest member of Congress. 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.

[edit] Committee Assignments

• Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises
  • Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity

[edit] Gonzales' ouster

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.

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 it was important to send this message out.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Congressman Adam Putnam official U.S. House site
• Adam Putnam for US Congress official campaign site

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Opie's All Grown Up Now USNews.com, December 3, 2006
• Opie? National Review, July 30, 2007